Friends Magazine 2024

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fastforward ⊲ Newly transformed Lower School classroom, 2024

6 The Light of Student Leadership 12 Lower School Transformation

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in this issue ⊲

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Published annually by Friends School of Baltimore MISSION STATEMENT Friends School of Baltimore is a Quaker school that exists to foster in young people the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind needed to partner with their communities and to be courageous change-makers in the world. We believe education is a journey, a continual seeking after truth that relies on both inward reflection and outward connection with others, especially across lines of difference. At Friends, learning is grounded in relationships and deepened by application to the world beyond our campus. Our School is guided by the testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship, and our core belief that there is that of God in each person, and we understand these testimonies and this belief to be a call to justice. We value diversity, pursue equity, and strive to be an actively inclusive institution that works against systemic oppression, within a campus community where each individual can live out their full identities. We seek in all ways to exemplify the ideals of the Religious Society of Friends.

Kristen DeMarco Rickard Editor Laura LeBrun Hatcher Design Christine Pappas ’01 Director of Marketing and Communications Ashley Principe Director of Development Sophia Springer '13 Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO: Friends School of Baltimore 5114 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21210 Attn: Ashley Principe alumni@friendsbalt.org

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THE LIGHT OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP Friends School nurtures student leadership through the Quaker principles, empowering students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade to lead collaboratively.

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LOWER SCHOOL TRANSFORMATION The Lower School at Friends School of Baltimore’s multimilliondollar transformation creates a modern learning environment that aligns with Quaker values and promotes collaborative, studentcentered education.

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DR. COST RAISES CHILDREN, STUDENTS, AND CHICKENS! Upper School chemistry teacher Dr. Hoa Cost juggles teaching, raising two sons, and caring for her family’s backyard chickens.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: ATHLETICS Six alumni with athletic backgrounds discuss the impact of their Friends School education.

departments

Printing: Mount Royal Printing & Communications Photography: Laura Black

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Please recycle.

24 ACADEMICS

NEWSMAKERS

22 DEI OFFICE 28 ARTS 32 ATHLETICS

Follow us today @friendsbalt and @fsbalumni1784

36 COMMENCEMENT 2024

38 ALUMNI, CLASS NOTES, AND MILESTONES 72 FSPA NEWS 74 DEVELOPMENT 78 THE FACULTY ROOM

from the head of school ⊲

Dear Friends,

“At Friends, we strive to create a version of home for our students. We aim to be a community that offers the structure and encouragement needed for bold adventures and intellectual growth, while always providing a safe, welcoming space to return to.”

As I reflect on the 2023-24 school year, I am reminded how grateful I am to play a role in supporting our exceptional community. I am humbled by the extraordinary faculty and staff who devote their time to shaping and educating our students. I am consistently impressed by our students, who are as academically motivated as they are kind and inclusive - and who we witness develop into impressive change-makers as they move along their educational journeys. I am grateful to our families who trust us to teach thoughtfully and support their children. I am inspired by our alumni, who are all over the world making us proud of their contributions and maintaining a steadfast loyalty to their alma mater. These folks, and others, are much of the reason Friends has become a home to me.

The concept of home always reminds me of one of my favorite children’s books: Where The Wild Things Are, a classic by Maurice Sendak. The story follows a young boy, Max, who after creating some mischief around the house one evening is sent to bed without dinner. After retreating to his bedroom, the story really begins. Max’s imagination takes over and his bedroom transforms into a forest where he becomes a hero on an adventure alongside the “wild things.” While Max’s journey is epic, he ultimately returns to his bedroom when he yearns for home and finds a hot dinner waiting for him in his room.

Max’s story captures the essence of what home means – a place where we are unconditionally supported and nourished after epic adventures, moments of challenge, and even mischief. At Friends, we strive to create a version of home for our students. We aim to be a community that offers the structure and encouragement needed for bold adventures and intellectual growth, while always providing a safe, welcoming space to return.

As you enjoy this magazine’s pages, I hope these articles will remind you of your Friends School home, where there will always be a welcoming place waiting when you return from your own epic adventures!

Christian Donovan, Head of School

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NEWSMAKERS

®

UPPER SCHOOL ROBOTICS CLASS RECEIVES $3K IN NASA GRANTS FOR BOTBALL CHALLENGE Friends School’s Upper School robotics class had the amazing opportunity to participate in NASA’s Botball® Robotics Challenge thanks to a $3,000 NASA grant.

The Botball® Educational Robotics Program engages middle and upper school students in a team-oriented robotics competition. The Robotics Alliance Project provides students with a well-structured program to further their love of technology.

“By exposing students to an inquiry-based, learn-by-doing activity that appeals to their hearts as well as their minds, Botball® addresses our nation’s need for a well-prepared, creative, yet disciplined workforce with leadership and teamwork experience.” Team leaders and mentors are provided with technology training and introduced to the details of that year’s game. After a build period, students bring

their robots to a regional tournament to compete against other students in the current season’s game challenge.

Before the challenge, we spoke with computer science teacher Jack Hunter who gave us a rundown of the process: “We are currently building a robot to work with Botball's® Junior Botball Challenge curriculum, which is their introductory program for learning robotics concepts.

We have a 20-module course on building and controlling this robot which we are going through as fast as we can, while we await the arrival of our two Botball® robots which we will build and present in the regional meeting of schools doing the Botball® program, in Maryland, in April 2024. There will be a fall challenge as well, which will be simulator-based.”

The robotics course at Friends fits within our robust Upper School Computer

Science Program where students investigate topics in responsive and autonomous technology with a focus on engineering and design principles, techniques in 3D modeling, and computational thinking applied to hardware and mechanical design. It has a broad approach to the field of robotics and challenges students to become independent thinkers and builders.

Founded on a set of universal competencies, the computer science curriculum at Friends School encourages students to reflect on the same core set of coding disciplines, habits of mind, and algorithmic thought processes for every project. Further, it is designed to ensure that students maintain focused, meaningful, and observable growth whether they take one class or five.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL QUAKERBOTS WIN FIRST-PLACE TITLE AT THE 2024 MARYLAND VIQRC STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Our Middle School robotics team, aptly named Quakerbots, stands in the spotlight in 2024. This group, made up of Nate Block '28, Alex Hoffman '28, Hiero Kämper '28, and Hannes Kämper '29, clinched an impressive victory at the 2024 Maryland VIQRC State Championship. The team's engineering and coding skills landed them the first-place title and a spot in the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas in Spring 2023. This accomplishment not only underscores the Quakerbots' dedication and skill but also resonates with the mission of the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. The foundation, which produces the championship competitions, is committed to nurturing STEM interest through affordable, hands-on, and sustainable robotics programs, aligning with the Quakerbots' success and the studentcentered learning model endorsed by the REC Foundation.

Under the guidance of their coaches (and current parents) Dolf Kämper and Chuck White, alongside Friends School’s club advisor and Middle School science teacher Meridith Sandherr, the Quakerbots started their robotics journey in fall 2023.

Despite starting later than other teams like Ridgley and Lindale Middle Schools, who started their work the previous spring, the Quakerbots were able to stand victorious.

This robotics competition, with unique challenges each year, focused on sorting objects using self-built and coded robots in various ways. Collaborative matches emphasized teamwork, encouraging students to overcome challenges with

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peers from other teams. During the tournament, teams engaged in qualifying matches, strategizing with others to achieve top scores, contributing to a total point tally.

In the landscape of robotics awards, including categories such as teamwork, design, and innovation, the Quakerbots secured the highly-coveted Excellence Award this year. This recognition underscores their outstanding performance, and places them as top contenders.

At the core of the REC Foundation's philosophy lies the "student-centered" concept. Here, students actively participate in learning opportunities, enhancing their skills in engineering design, mechanical design, programming, and teamwork under adult mentorship. The application aspect emphasizes students' ownership of designing, constructing, programming, and using their machines with other teams.

In light of the competitive nature of these programs, the foundation urges educators to prioritize learning.

Friends provides students with ample opportunities to engage with the world of robotics, from Bee Bot, the kindergarten robot "friend," to the Quakerbots in the Middle School, to the Botball® Educational Robotics Program in the Upper School, and prepares them for the technology of the future. The World Championship is renowned as the largest robotics competition globally, attracting talented young minds from various countries. The Quakerbots had a fantastic time meeting other student contestants from around the world and gave the competition their all!

LEE ROBY ELECTED TO SERVE AS THE NEXT VICE PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN COUNCILS OF TEACHERS OF RUSSIAN (ACTR) FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM Friends School Upper School Russian teacher Lee Roby was elected in February 2024 to serve a two-year term (20242026) as Vice President of American Councils of Teachers of Russian (ACTR).

ACTR is a national professional organization that promotes the study and teaching of the Russian language, literature and culture. ACTR represents Russian language teachers in all educational settings – pre-K-16, graduate, and continuing education, encouraging professional dialogue within the field and amongst fellow Russianists around the world.

ACTR provides leadership to expand Russian language teaching and research, to increase K-16 program articulation, to support teacher education and professional development, and to recognize outstanding students and teachers of Russian. Lee has served on the Board of Directors of ACTR since 2014.

She has taught Russian at FSB since 2002, serving as foreign language department chair for much of that time, and has raised three FSB children in the classes of 2006, 2020, and 2026.

newsmakers ⊲

KEELY CARTER ’24 MAKES THE STUDENT NEWS ONLINE’S (SNO) “BEST OF SNO” LIST FOR HER PODCAST “FIXING A BROKEN HEART” Congratulations to Keely Carter ’24!

Keely’s podcast “Fixing a Broken Heart” received the prestigious honor of making Student News Online’s “Best of SNO” list for multimedia submissions. SNO receives 100 submissions a day from the 3,000 high school and college news sites in their network, and chooses only a handful for this honor.

Listen now! bit.ly/FSBQQ

SPRING 2023 LOBBY DAY Eight of our Upper School students, along with Director of Quaker Life Anna Melville ’01 and Upper School English teacher Mike Paulson, attended the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) Spring Lobby Weekend. The group spent three days in Arlington, Va. and Washington, D.C. along with 350 other young adults, learning about Indian Boarding Schools (IBS) and the intergenerational trauma these institutions caused to over 100,000 native peoples. They also had the chance to lobby the offices of Senators Cardin and Van Hollen, as well as Congressman Ruppersberger, encouraging them to support the Truth and Healing Commission on the Indian Boarding Schools Act.

SOPHIA CLARK '24 WINS USS CONSTITUTION HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST As part of her award, Clark received a $500 cash prize and a special invitation to join the 77th Commander of the USS Constitution, Billie J. Farrell, aboard the historic ship in Boston on October 21, 2023. The event commemorated the vessel’s 1797 launch in Boston Harbor. Clark learned of her win during a congratulatory call with Commander Farrell and the USS Constitution Museum’s Chief Experience Officer, Sarah Watkins.

Sophia Clark ’24 earned national recognition as the USS Constitution High School Essay Contest winner.

Her essay, Untold Histories, stood out among entries from students nationwide.

The essay contest was created to celebrate the USS Constitution’s 225th anniversary. Known as “America’s Ship of State,” the vessel serves as a symbol of the nation’s ideals and history. It has a unique role in diplomacy, hosting events such as treaty signings

and visits from international leaders.

The contest challenged students to envision themselves as ambassadors representing the best of American values, much like the ship has done for centuries.

A panel of judges at the USS Constitution Museum selected Clark’s essay for its compelling exploration of the ship’s diverse crew stories, backed by strong research and a personal, authentic voice.

“Sophia’s work carries on a tradition of writing inspired by the USS Constitution, much like Oliver Wendell Holmes’s poem Old Ironsides rallied support to save the ship in 1830,” said Watkins. “Her thoughtful approach and storytelling made her essay stand out.”

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Each year the 12th grade class co-presidents speak at Commencement.

Pictured here: Mikel Smith '24

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W

hen Henry Turner ’25 was unexpectedly tapped to co-lead the Quaketones, one of Friends’ a cappella singing groups, he used his favorite Quaker principle—Community—to find his footing.

The then-rising sophomore and tenor had been in the group for only a few months. “I was thrown into the deep end,” Turner says of his tasks of motivating the three other members, recruiting new ones, and teaching songs.

“Being a leader is building a group that suits everyone,” says Turner, who remains co-head of the now 11 Quaketones. “Once I started doing that, there was an important shift in our success. We achieved our goals through everyone’s contributions, not just doing what is expected or what I wanted to happen.”

The Quaker SPICES (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship), are the heart of his leadership approach. “I aim to be a community servant, that’s what inspires me,” he says of his leadership activities. He is Concert Chorale co-president, Deputy Head Chorister for the 130-voice Maryland State Boychoir, and has performed in every Friends School musical.

Beyond the concert stage, he’s Senate co-president, Varsity Cross Country co-captain, Varsity Frisbee co-captain, a Quaker Student Union member, a participant in Quaker Youth Leadership conferences and Friends Committee and National Legislation, and club head of Quaker Connections for Lower School Meeting for Worship.

Turner and his fellow students understand that leadership looks a little different at Friends.

“Here you'll rarely find a leadership position where it's just one person,” adds Caroline Toll ’25, whose leadership resume is just as robust.

A William Penn Fellow, she’s yearbook co-head, co-editor-in-chief of The Quaker Quill, co-head of the Hunger Committee, plays badminton, is a Student Assistant Teacher for a sophomore history class, and past class co-president. From January through April 2024, Toll was Friends’ representative at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership in London.

THE QUAKER LEADERSHIP MODEL

The non-hierarchical leadership approach is what Head of School Christian Donovan experienced as an upper school student at his alma mater George School, which is also Quaker.

“The concept is that everyone is equal, has a voice, authority is shared, and decisions are made by consensus,” Donovan says. “We attempt to reach unity in a particular way, which feels very different than when you learn or work in a much more hierarchical organization.”

“We agree to the process and respect what it yields, which is the bedrock of Quaker decision-making,” explains Travis Henschen, Upper School Assistant Principal, who focuses on student life. “It leads our students to listen deeply, to put community above personal ambition, which leads to real learning.”

There are decisions, of course, that the Head of School, leadership, and faculty need to make, but most decisions among students at Friends involve the Quaker process of consensus.

Our faculty center students voices, and students have agency is how the classroom, committee or club operates, from kindergarteners deciding which chapter book to read as a class to Upper School students selecting class representatives for Senate.

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“Leadership is being in service to others, and you can't be in service to others without listening to someone else's voice.”

— HEIDI HUTCHISON, PRINCIPAL, PK-8 Within the non-hierarchical leadership structure, traditional roles like student government still exist, and it looks a little different in each division. The entire fifth grade serves on at least one committee, while the Middle School has three Student Leadership Clerks. The Upper School Senate has four representatives (senators) from each grade and two Senate Co-Presidents (essentially student body co-presidents). Each class has Class Co-Presidents, separate from the Senate. Some positions are determined through Quaker selection (a student nominating committee discusses each candidate’s strengths and chooses), while other positions, such as Upper School Senate Co-Presidents are selected by vote.

Additionally, twelfth graders serve in seniority leadership roles for the School, for example as student representatives to the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board.

Upper School Senate oversees clubs and club fund disbursement, and weekly Collections, which Henschen notes may not be as neat as an adultrun assembly, but that’s the point: “It teaches our kids to respect a whole range of viewpoints and scenarios. It really does showcase how leadership works at Friends.”

GROWING QUAKER LEADERS

“Consensus” is typically not a word most six-yearolds know, but with guidance and practice, the concept becomes part of their world—and a lab to try new leadership skills. For the youngest students, understanding what it means to lead in the Quaker model starts simply with being a good friend, building community, and then trusting that community.

“Leadership is being in service to others, and you can't be in service to others without listening to someone else's voice,” Heidi Hutchison, Principal, PK-8. “Through inquiry-based learning with queries, we teach children how to question and reflect, which gets at their core schema of why they think in a certain way.”

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“We talk about making intentional choices and what it means to their friends, and we learn the fundamentals of giving fair turns,” says Frannie Morrissey, Lower School Assistant Principal, PK-2. Shared materials and spaces are lessons in developing responsibility and stewardship.

Classroom jobs shift weekly so everyone takes a turn as line leader or taking attendance to the office. Teachers may offer two to three choices of a book to read aloud for class consensus.

Sometimes classes make casseroles for Our Daily Bread or write cards of appreciation for the housekeeping or maintenance staff—all practice in looking beyond themselves to build community.

“We often talk about being an activist when we see something that we think needs to change in our classroom and community,” adds Morrissey, who has had smaller Meetings for Business to guide younger students through reflective questioning about an issue. “The goal is to help them understand the steps of the Quaker process, so it's in their bones as they move through the school.”

Several years ago, after reading a book on kindness, the kindergarten class decided to host and lead the school in a friendship parade. “We talked about what that would entail and its purpose,” Morrissey says. “The class asked permission of the Head of School and other administrators, then started to interview faculty.” Then, they researched friendship, created a parade map, and sent invitations to the whole school. Two years ago, the kindergarten and pre-first classes produced a podcast on kindness that included interviews with their older siblings at Friends and administrators, and an original song cowritten with music teacher Anthony Ajluni, based on their words about kindness.

Eleanor Hamrock ’32, leads by how she approaches each day. “When you come to school with a negative attitude, you're just going to spread negativity,” she says, “When you're positive, other people will become positive, too.”

She’s spreading positivity on the Lower School Stewardship Committee. “Stewardship is my

favorite SPICE because I am passionate about the Earth,” says Hamrock, who is trying to raise net-zero emissions by lobbying for solar panels at her house.

Business for discussion and approval. Post event, the Committee reflects on what worked and what could have been better. “The product is not nearly as important as the process,” says Clark.

At the Stewardship Committee’s first meeting, the members created a shared statement of purpose, and by consensus, chose the roles of presiding and recording clerks. “It's not fair to say someone is better than someone else because everybody is good at something and not good at something else,” Hamrock says. “In a community, we can all be leaders at different times.”

Hamrock is also one of twelve Junior Peer Educators (JPE) in the fifth grade class, a leadership program overseen by Clark and MaryAnn Niclas, Lower School Counselor. “JPEs help people who are feeling sad,” Hamrock says. “Sometimes it helps to have another kid to talk to.” They meet in pairs or oneon-one with younger kids and create lessons on the Quaker SPICES, anti-bullying, and other topics.

Fifth grade homeroom teachers Karen Clark, Meghan Roach, and Coby Schriener oversee the Fifth Grade Committees and twice-monthly Meetings for Business for the class. “Servant leadership is the model of leadership that we want to lift up, not power over other people or special privilege but a position of responsibility,” Clark says.

Spending time with older role models is a critical part of developing leaders, which happens formally and informally. Examples include having Middle School and Upper School students mentor younger students, and fourth and fifth graders serving as reading buddies with younger classes. “At all-school Convocations, they see older students presenting and utilizing those skills that they're doing,” Kara Lewis, Lower School Assistant Principal, Grades 3-5, says. Hamrock, who is part of the Fiddle Club for fifth through twelfth grade, is excited to spend time with older students, learning how to play music by ear and how to lead.

“It’s an amazing process to see an 11-year-old learn how to find the Sense of the Meeting,” she explains. “We emphasize the importance of being on both sides of the table, that the people on the other side of the table—the rest of the fifth grade— their voices are the ones being heard.”

Each Fifth Grade Committee has a faculty sponsor, no more than eight members, and the rule of no switching Committees. Sticking with something is a key leadership takeaway. If the Committee plans an event like Spirit Week, an environmental activity, or donuts at drop-off, members bring a proposal before Meeting for

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Being a role model is organic at Friends. Lewis recalls being asked in October 2023 by Isabel Cairns ’32 to supervise recess play rehearsals for Cairns’ original play. In May, Cairns and company performed the play for the Lower School and parents. “It’s inspirational for many of the younger kids,” Lewis marvels of the production. “Providing multiple opportunities for them to see positive role models teaches the foundation skills of simplicity, equity, and good stewardship.”

There are some needed adjustments, of course, for the youngest students. Lower School Meeting for Worship is no longer than 20 minutes, timed to minimize fidgeting. A gradual process of practicing moments of silence and mindful breathing helps the youngest students settle into Meeting for Worship. Lower School students also practice mindful eating at lunch with a moment of silent worship and then ten minutes or so of silent concentration on the taste, smells, and enjoyment of eating before happy chatter.

LEARNING TO LEAD THROUGH STILLNESS AND LISTENING

In Meeting for Worship, respect for what a community member chooses to share is paramount, as is deep listening. “As we grow student leaders, cultivating deep listening is one of the most important skills,” Donovan says. When meeting with alumni around the country, Donovan hears that Meeting for Worship and learning how to listen deeply are the Friends experiences that resonate most in their post-Friends School lives.

“Often they are the ones in their industries who bring colleagues together, listen for all the different opinions, repeat back what they’ve heard, and lead the group to a decision.”

For the required personal statement at the start of her abroad program, Toll wrote about the importance of being able to sit with herself in silence, a direct connection to her capstone ethical credo about the importance of interpersonal relationships in leadership. “Friends encourages us to hold both of those things together, like personal peace that leads to outward engagement,” she adds.

In London, Toll lived with 18 high school students from around the country and was the only one from a Quaker school: “Friends has taught me to accept different styles of doing things and be confident to explain my thoughts. It’s a really important skill to understand where other people are coming from and then also be able to articulate your history.”

Toll found the confidence to study abroad through Meeting for Worship. “Sitting in the Meetinghouse in silence is maybe the best thing you can do as a kid, especially in middle school when sometimes you don't want to sit with yourself and your uncomfortable thoughts,” she says. “I always felt like I'd reached some sort of conclusion or just gotten a chance to rest my mind, which is not something we get with the age of the internet and constant stimulation.”

LEADING BY ASKING HARD QUESTIONS Eighth grader Finn Cain ’29, one of three Student Leadership Clerks, cut her leadership teeth by biting into a challenging issue: gun violence. Last year, she created the Gun Violence Prevention and Education Club in the Middle School. The idea sparked in science class when she researched an article about realistic shooter drills and whether they're helping or harming students.

Cain pitched her idea to her geography teacher, Erika Smith ’93, who guided Cain to Anna Melville ’01, Director of Quaker Life. Melville signed on as an advisor, and Cain spoke to the Middle School faculty before proceeding. The first year’s activities included a seventh-grade Meeting for Business presentation on the Sandy Hook Promise and how Americans view gun violence

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and gun violence prevention. The club also worked with Little Friends, the School’s early childhood learning center, to draw and write thank-you notes to the school’s security staff.

A self-professed big-idea person, she also embraces reflection. To develop this year’s Gun Violence Prevention Club activities, she listened to feedback from last year’s program.

Before joining Friends in sixth grade, Cain admits that she felt her ideas needed to be the group’s idea. “Now, when I'm leading groups, I really try and make sure that everybody is heard and that we actually create a product that is a hundred percent all of our ideas, not just one or two people's ideas,” she says.

FINDING JOY IN LEADERSHIP

One way that Turner has inspired others to share their talents was by performing an Italian piece and a song from Les Miserables in Collection. “I believe that these are the times when our community is at its strongest, when everybody feels like they're in the right place and there's not a place that they'd rather be,” adds Turner who leads the Senate with co-president Khadejah Allen ’25.

Cain is just as passionate about helping people, which she does as the Middle School softball team’s second baseman: “I find joy in helping other new players learn a new play or how to field or hit a ball.”

Quaker leadership, Henschen points out, may take a little longer to reach consensus and may not be as neat as top-down student leadership at non-Quaker schools. “There’s a lot of building buy-in and testing and tweaking ideas before implementation,” he explains. The process, though, yields a leader focused on centering community, building empathy, and honoring process. “Our students are really good at connecting with people that are different from themselves, and that really can take you quite far,” he reflects. ■

LAST WORDS ON LEADING AT FRIENDS The Senate Co-Presidents for 2023-24 gave heartfelt speeches at their final Collection, reflecting on their leadership and what serving the Friends community meant to them.

“My goal with Collection was to foster an environment where we could uplift each other, watch each other shine in our unique elements, and be together in one unique school community.” – Harrison Fribush ’24, Virginia Polytechnical Institute & State University “In my 15 years at Friends, even if I haven’t always been confident, I have always, always been myself. I am still learning what version of myself is going to walk out that door and take on my next community.” – Macy Goldberg ’24, Haverford College “You are so lucky to be in a place that can grow, mold, and make room for people of all kinds…where students don’t stray away from differences but lean into them.”

–Noah Ripke ’24, Yale University

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LOWER SCHOOL

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TRANSFORMATION

By Sarah Auchenbach

The peaceful environment within the Lower School's newly renovated classrooms helps students focus on learning.

T

he Lower School at Friends School of Baltimore sounds the same as ever. A teacher reading aloud to a rapt gaggle of first graders.

Laughter rising above the thud of locker doors.

Happy chatter while working on math questions.

What you see, though, is very different from traditional elementary schools. Gone are the rigid rows of desks. Instead, students work at wheeled tables shaped like amoebas or noodles. Some use a standing desk while others sprawl on the floor or perch on a lily pad (low cushion). Those seated might choose a wobbly stool designed for fidgeting or flip the stool on its side to gently roll.

The rainbow-colored, every-surface-covered approach to classroom decorating is no more.

Instead, walls are a soft cream with curated, intentional bulletin boards creating a peaceful environment meant to inspire focus. And it does.

The multimillion-dollar Lower School transformation, a three-year project unveiled for the start of the 2024-25 school year, isn’t just a much-needed makeover for a 100-year-old building. Every piece of furniture, color choice, and classroom arrangement is based on the brain science of how young learners learn best.

Even the renovated Assembly Room has flexible furniture for school productions, Meetings, and the afterschool program.

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From left to right: rendering of the Lower School library prior to the Lower School transformation; the new Lower School library

Built in 1931, the Tudor Revival-style Lower School East building is the second oldest building on the campus.

The West building was added in 1990, and, soon, the re-imagined Lower School playground—currently in the design phase—will complete the transformation.

and makes sure the group has what it needs. If somebody walks away with the pencils, then that's going to damage the community. It's a small thing, but a great habit to instill in people of making sure that they leave a space the way they found it, if not better.”

“We do very exciting things and teach in a very modern way, and the former building didn’t reflect that,” Karen Clark, 5th grade homeroom teacher, says. “It was hard to see past the physical building to what was really going on in the classrooms. Now our lovely surroundings blend into the background to highlight what the kids are doing.”

FUTURE-FOCUSED CLASSROOMS FOR TODAY’S LEARNERS

QUAKERISM IN MODERN CLASSROOMS “Furniture really plays a big part in how kids feel when they walk into a space and how they learn,” explains Heidi Hutchison, Principal, PK-8. She discovered this in 2011 by doing what was then revolutionary as a 4th grade teacher at Friends: She jettisoned her barge of a teacher’s desk. “I wanted my classroom to be student centered,” she says.

“Once people saw that, they really got excited and began getting rid of their desks.”

There are still a few teacher’s desks in the new classrooms, but they are smaller in size and tucked into a corner. Even the file cabinets do double-duty as stools with cushions and wheels. Teachers move about their classrooms working with small groups or individuals to teach 21stcentury skills grounded in time-honored Quaker principles.

Every morning when a student chooses their seating for the day, it’s a lesson in finding and using one’s voice.

To promote community and respect for shared property, students share learning materials with tabletop caddies of pencils and dry-erase markers (every table has a whiteboard surface) and communal workbooks and materials in bins, not desks.

“Servant leadership is the model of leadership that we want to lift up, not power over other people or special privilege, but a position of responsibility,” Clark explains. “Each table is a little community. Everybody takes a leadership position

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“Before, how we laid out the space was [more like a traditional classroom], Christian Donavan, Head of School, says. “That worked well for one type of student, the one who could sit still to pay attention. But we now know that learning happens in many different forms. Some students need to move to help them attend to what's going on in the classroom. The furniture and the spaces that we have now reflect the current and future learning needs of our students.”

“Think about how you work best. At a desk, in a comfy chair with a laptop, or at a standing desk? Discovering this at an early age is critical,” says Rasha El-Haggan, Assistant Head of School for Academics. “Allowing our students to choose and reflect on what type of seat works best for them means that they know what they need to learn,” she explains. “The new Lower School gives us the ability to teach students this in a very intentional way.”

Teachers may still direct students where to sit, but they are encouraging students to observe how a certain seat helps them learn. El-Haggan draws a direct line from choosing a rolling stool or standing desk to cultivating self-advocacy skills. “It’s fostering metacognition and knowing something about yourself and reflecting upon that.”

Flexible seating isn’t new to Friends. Pre-Covid, a few Lower School teachers were experimenting with alternative seating. Then the pandemic hit. After students returned to the campus following remote learning, they had to be in classroom pods in more traditional configurations for safety. “Now we’re able to go back to the place where teachers have more of a feeling of freedom, of connecting,” Hutchison says.

To create the space and choose furniture, teachers weighed in on what they needed to teach the different skills and nurture different learning styles. Occupational therapists met with educators on furniture selection. Each option helps kids develop core muscle strength, a challenge for children post-Covid who were raised on smartphones and iPads.

“Because of the intensive amount of time kids are spending on technology, the core is not being developed,” Hutchison explains.

Fine motor skills are suffering from digital use, she says.

“The cartilage in kids’ fingers isn’t as developed now, which impacts neural connections. Core connections and the amount of activity and synapses that are being formed in the brain aren't as great because kids are spending so much time on devices.” Students in Friends’ Pre-Primary and younger grades use scissors, fold paper, craft stitching with yarn, thread beads, and tie their shoes. They practice holding giant crayons or other larger writing utensils, use clay, sort buttons, use tweezers or tongs–time-tested interventions to enhance fine motor skills.

Improving gross motor skills is also essential in primary education, a task made easier in the openness of the new configurations. “Stay seated or stand up,” Julia Broach encourages her 1st grade class. Following her broad arm movements and gentle instruction, they draw the letter “N” in the air. Watching the students repeat her instructions out loud, Hutchison points out the pedagogical purpose of what looks like play: “They are building functional motor memory, which is so important.”

“Play is the young child's work and is a very valid and important way for children to learn,” Frannie Morrissey, Lower School Assistant Principal, PK-2, says. “The physical change is about the freedom to move where you're comfortable sitting. It’s not an out-of-control environment, it’s intentional.”

LEARNING TO USE THE SPACES Like most change, there was a little anxiety that the new environment might change the way educators teach. Last spring, to help teachers feel comfortable before the new school year, Hutchison set up a sample classroom. Right before spring break, it quickly became a real classroom, though, when the contractor needed early access to one of the floors.

Meghan Roach moved her 5th grade class into the sample classroom. Her students loved it immediately. “They understood what it meant to sit in this or that type of seat and what is best for them educationally,” Roach says. Her colleagues continued to observe her class and tried out the seating. After a May 2024 professional development on how flexible seating supports teaching and learning, Roach gave a classroom tour to the Lower School faculty.

and no individual desks meant less clutter. Because all papers are kept in bins, her students didn’t lose a single worksheet last spring. “Students know where to find things, and we can move about the classroom a little bit easier,” adds Roach. “I can pool kids to focus on skills. When we’re reading a chapter book, if someone wants to come sit on the floor in front of me, they do. The new classrooms are cozier.”

“It’s so much more natural when children can sit in a group setting for them to share their thinking, assist one another, learn from one another, and be able to practice decision making together,” says Morrissey. “It’s a replica of real life where people share and build on ideas and learn from each other’s mistakes. This makes our children even more ready for life beyond Friends.”

For 4th grade teacher Jillien Ciresi, the Quaker ideal of simplicity at the foundation of the new Lower School transformation inspires her students. “I love my classroom— it’s fresh, clean, simple, and bright,” she says. “Everything has a purpose. My students know what seats they want to sit in, distractions are minimized, and there is less clutter in our space. The focus is on what they are learning.” ■

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN Reimagining the Lower School was a balance of brain science, pedagogy, Quaker foundations, and updating an old iconic building with green construction.

Here are a few of the updates: • Added the first-ever elevators to the Lower School complex for an ADA-compliant building with every space accessible • Kept the “Lucky Step” in the terrazzo stairwell in the East Building. A beloved Friends tradition for past generations, the legend goes that it was lucky (or unlucky–it varied by class) to step on the one step that has fewer black specks than the other treads • Created art and science spaces in the lofted, top level with lots of room to explore and create—and with stools that stick to the table underside with magnets, clean-up is easy and fun • Added two murals by local artists Hanna Moran and Lindy Swan of Red Swan Walls with depictions of native flora and fauna, one in the first-floor hallway and another in the West Building stairwell; in Winter 2025, a third will be added in the Main Stairwell of the East Building as seen on the cover • Kept the original (non-working) fireplace in the 1st grade classroom, now a reading nook • Upgraded the HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and security systems and installed new, energy-efficient windows

She also discovered a few happy surprises. Shared materials FRIENDSBALT.ORG | FRIENDS SCHOOL

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Dr. Cost Raises Children, Students ... and

CHICKENS!

by Ronan Healy ’25

This article was originally published in The Quaker Quill on December 5, 2023 by staff writer Ronan Healy ’25. It was awarded Best in SNO (School Newspapers Online) 2022-2023.

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S

ome families keep cats or dogs as pets. Upper School chemistry teacher Hoa Cost’s family keeps cats, dogs – and around a dozen backyard chickens.

Before making the career shift, Cost worked at the Community College of Baltimore County, a background that gave the teacher an air of expertise in her new environment.

For Dr. Cost, the chickens are pretty low-maintenance, apart from the few the family lost to chickenhawks in their early years of ownership. That’s especially true because, Cost insists, these chickens aren’t even hers.

“She seemed, from her science background and background working with undergraduate students, to have a really good grip on all of the relevant material,” says fellow Upper School science teacher Viktor Polyak, who came to Friends a year before Cost.

“She was really strong on that front.”

“The chickens actually do not belong to me. They are my sons’,” says Cost, referring to Upper Schoolers Thi ’24 and Mason ’25. “They keep chickens at home.”

From a young age, the brothers have been feeding, taking care of, and collecting fresh eggs from these unconventional backyard pets – at first with their mom’s guidance, and now solo. Owning chickens was a dream long before it was a reality for the family.

“We used to live in Towson, [and] in Towson we were not allowed to keep chickens. So when we moved out and we moved further away, we moved farther out in the county.

So we always thought, ‘Oh, it would be fun to have chickens,” says Cost.

They decided to adopt the pets by family consensus.

Cost’s children have been influential in her professional life as well, helping her to make the jump from teaching college to teaching high school. Some teachers might think it would be awkward to work at the same school their children go to. But it was this very reason that made Cost consider teaching at Friends.

“It was my sons who inspired me to look into it,” she says. “I figured that as an educator I have kind of a unique opportunity to be able to share school [with my kids].”

But although college is a more academically advanced setting, Cost says she still finds teaching high school harder.

“Teaching in high school is more challenging, but also at the same time it’s a lot more personal. In colleges you just prep for course, right?” she says.

“You do get to know your students. But on the college campuses, it’s a lot harder to have a much deeper connection with your students. Teaching in high school, you see them more regularly and you just develop more of a connection.”

Her son Thi agrees, but he has a different perspective on why especially her senior classes are hard to let go.

“She’s usually very emotional to her senior classes leaving. Like, I know she really liked her classes last year,” he says. “But I think that’s just because she likes to teach the seniors a whole lot more than the sophomores. Not that she dislikes them. It’s just she’s a whole lot closer to [the older students].”

This year, Thi has a unique perspective on seniors leaving.

He himself is a senior – something Cost is acutely aware of.

“I do get emotional at the end of every year. But I think having Thi in this graduating class, I think is going to be especially emotional,” she says.

This begs the question, what will become of the Cost family chickens.

Will Mason be forced to take up the slack after Thi leaves?

Perhaps because of that more potent emotional connection, saying goodbye to her seniors at the end of her first (and, notably, digital hybrid) year was hard.

“Actually, it used to be a whole lot more of Mason and I working with the chickens. But actually now my mom really, really enjoys taking care of the chickens,” says Thi. “She likes to basically soup up their coop. It’s like her own little project.”

“My very first year I was emotional ’cause, well, this is my first senior class. But then last year I was also emotional,” she says. “So there is just something very bittersweet.”

So although she knows the seniors’ departure this year is going to be more bittersweet for her than any previous senior class, at least in one way, Cost’s nests will still be full. ■

”Teaching in high school is more challenging.

But at the same time, it’s a lot more personal.

[Here,] you see them more regularly and you just develop more of a connection.”

Dr. Hoa Cost, Upper School Chemistry Teacher

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ALUMNI ZACH LOEWENBERG ’15

We talked with alumni who’ve scored BIG in athletics at Friends and beyond about life lessons learned in competition.

scouting and such a unique opportunity. You have to be versatile and understand the people you're working with to provide them what can be most useful.

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ZACH LOEWENBERG ’15 HOW HE GOT HERE: I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in sports. In 2020 I was hired as an intern by the Washington Nationals followed by another internship with the Miami Marlins in their scouting department. In early 2023, I became the Houston Astros’ advanced scouting coordinator. I thought I would be part of the day-to-day operations, but in this world you need to be flexible. These experiences will be extremely valuable; I’ll have unique perspectives that the average person may not have.

Eventually, I would like to be part of the decision-making process of putting together a team and a roster. This is a long career, and my goals might not happen for 15 to 20 years. Short-term, I'm really enjoying the moment and learning as much as I can.

CURRENT JOB: My job is to help prepare the hitting coaches and the players for upcoming opponents, which means I spend time learning and studying opposing pitchers and producing reports and information prior to the game. It’s a lot of computer work, watching videos, and putting together scouting reports.

Then there’s the communication element of working with the coaches and players to fill them in on all potential things that could be helpful. It’s a combination of analytics, statistics, and

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IMPACT OF FRIENDS SCHOOL: Part of the Quaker SPICES (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship) is being empathetic and understanding of the people around you.

Given the high-octane and intense environment [of professional sports], understanding people on a psychological and emotional level allows me to find the best way to help [players] and be supportive. Meeting for Worship’s [lessons on] being present and reflective are extremely valuable skills to develop. I travel constantly, so allowing myself to take a breath and understand where I am in the moment and enjoy it has been paramount for me.

NOTABLE FRIENDS SCHOOL TEACHER: When you’re 11 years old, you need a good balance of being supported and challenged. My fifth grade homeroom teacher, John Copeland, did a great job with that, and he was very passionate about sports.

My Russian teacher, Ms. Roby, is someone I really enjoyed working with. The language is pretty challenging, and she knew how to get each person to maximize their abilities to grow and learn.

KARLEENA TOBIN ’02 HOW SHE GOT HERE: I made varsity [basketball] my freshmen year, which gave me a level of confidence. I received a full scholarship to play at the University of Delaware where my love of the game continued to grow. If you’d have asked me 20 years ago if I wanted to be a referee, I would've said ‘no.’ I coached for a few years at American University and then University of Massachusetts Amherst before coming home to teach in Baltimore City Public Schools. A former Delaware teammate asked if I wanted to referee middle school basketball. I had so much fun. From there, I networked and went to a collegiate basketball referee camp. In 2012, I officially started refereeing, and in 2016, found my way to the WNBA through the NBA D League. I also served as the union representative for the referees and negotiated the latest collective bargaining agreement for the WNBA referees. That was a highlight of my career off the court.

KARLEENA TOBIN ’02

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CURRENT JOB: Right now, women’s basketball is the place to be. It's been a long time coming, but fans are starting to see how awesome the game is. Being able to give back to the game that has done so much for me is incredible. I am a full-time WNBA referee. In late 2019, I wanted to help officials in Baltimore who were just starting out and give to them the knowledge and wisdom that I've gained. I ran my first [referee] camp for all levels, middle school to college to pro. I have a summer [referee] league called the Brunton League, which is Maryland's premier Pro-Am league for men’s basketball, to develop aspiring professional officials for the NBA, WNBA, FIA international, and collegiate basketball. Big NBA talent will come through and play to help officials hone their craft.

IMPACT OF FRIENDS SCHOOL: Friends built me into the professional I am through public speaking, which is so important to what I do.

of my career working in sales for NBC. Fencing is a sport where there's a lot of longevity; some people dominate for a long time.

I wasn't that fortunate but was happy to have made one Olympic team. Between 1992 and 1996, I got married, had a family, my priorities began to change, and we moved to New Jersey.

CURRENT JOB: Ten years ago, I quit my job and started a second career as a fencing coach and owner of a recreational fencing club. On average, I have about 100 students. Unlike a lot of other organized sports with a staff, I'm a one-man show, six days a week. I love the sport and am extremely happy that I took this route. At Friends, Tom LaMonica ’67 coached wrestling. His mantras were never quit and always try your best. He inspired me to push myself as hard as I could. That really stayed with me through college and beyond. I think of him a lot. It’s hard to emulate your mentor because I held him up on such a high pedestal, but I try to connect and motivate my students. I'm trying to create an atmosphere where kids can feel safe, learn, fail, try again, have fun, and enjoy themselves.

IMPACT OF FRIENDS SCHOOL: I really enjoyed everything I did academically, and it certainly prepared me for college. Friends gave me the confidence that enabled me to grow into college.

NOTABLE FRIENDS SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Back then, Collection was held every day for the purpose of attendance, announcements and enrichment with periodic presentations, classical music, or independent films. I found that to be very inspiring. In football, I played every down. I was running back, linebacker, kick returner, and the kick-off and punt return team.

Football was my favorite sport at Friends, but I only did it two years, and that's probably just enough.

JOHN FRIEDBERG ’79

NOTABLE FRIENDS EXPERIENCE: I have a nephew who graduated from Friends in the spring of 2024. My experience allowed him to get that same education. My most notable experience, though, was when I scored my 1,000th point. The entire Friends School community was in the New Gym to watch. It was an awesome accomplishment because the community was 100% behind me. That meant a lot and still means a lot.

JOHN FRIEDBERG ’79 HOW HE GOT HERE: There wasn’t a fencing team at Friends, but there was a local club run by the Johns Hopkins University varsity coach. My brother Paul ’77 went to Friends and was a fencer who made the 1988 Olympic team. I essentially followed in his footsteps. After graduating from the University of North Carolina, I moved to New York City to train for Olympic team tryouts and made the team in 1992. That was the only option at that time. Given the expense of the city, I got a job buying and selling commercial time for national advertisers, with the last six years

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6 WENDY WEINBERG WEIL ’7

NOTABLE FRIENDS TEACHER: I liked how varied the English classes were where we could pick which genres we wanted to read from Southern literature, science fiction and fantasy to historical and classical. I loved Mr. George Wright in biology/science! He was a very dynamic teacher who made everything interesting. I think he was probably just about everybody's favorite teacher.

KYLE HARRISON ’01

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WENDY WEINBERG WEIL ’76 HOW SHE GOT HERE: When I started at Friends in 9th grade, I was already competing at an elite level across the country and training at Johns Hopkins University. I swam at least three mornings per week before school and was often late for Collection but not classes. Friends had never had an athlete of my caliber before in a sport not offered at the school, but the Head of School Byron Forbush ’47 was incredibly supportive, as were the teachers when I traveled more for meets my last two years.

I competed in the Olympics my senior year, which was stressful, overwhelming, life-changing, astounding, and exhilarating. Title IX passed in 1972, and prior to 1973, high schools and universities offered few sports opportunities for women. It’s a misnomer that you train for the Olympics in swimming. It evolves over time.

Between 13 and 15, I became a nationally ranked swimmer. In fall 1975, I made the Pan-American team and was gone for a month. The teachers were very understanding. I read books and wrote and mailed papers while I was gone. During senior spring semester, I was training twice every day and taking only one class since I had completed my requirements. Friends provided an excellent education, and I was accepted to all of the top tier universities that I applied to, also helped by Title IX.

HOW HE GOT HERE: I was fortunate enough to make three varsity sports as a freshman: basketball, soccer, and lacrosse.

I've been surrounded by really smart people who helped me get down the right path, beginning with 13 years at Friends with incredible teachers and coaches, and then going to Johns Hopkins University to play. My family was always at my college games, and I could still have the post-game conversations that I had with my parents in youth leagues. When I became pro, sponsors, media attention, and growing a brand were just taking off in lacrosse. My biggest sponsor STX has been with me since I graduated from Hopkins. At Hopkins we were undefeated, I won the Tewaaraton Award, and we won the national championship in front of a packed stadium and ESPN coverage. I was the numberone draft pick and was selected by New Jersey Pride and made Team USA, all within three weeks. I became Nike’s first lacrosse athlete. Brand partnerships put me in a position to be a full-time player, unlike some professional players who came before me.

It wasn't my plan. I was a writing major who wanted to work for ESPN. So, I certainly couldn't have ever imagined things would go the way they have, and I know how fortunate and lucky I am.

CURRENT JOB: I co-founded 1812 LLC back in 2020, a lacrosse company out of Annapolis with showcases, club teams, events, training opportunities and more to build up the next generation. I'm the CEO of Fivestar, a content membership solution company for businesses to acquire content at a significantly lower cost. With a network of over 700 photographers

KYLE HARRISON ’01

CURRENT JOB: I started getting injured in college and figured out I wanted to go into sports medicine and then physical therapy. I received a graduate PT degree at Emory University.

I have two other degrees in physical education and exercise physiology, and Sports Medicine. I am mostly retired now but practiced orthopedics PT and sports medicine for 42 years including 25 with my own business.

IMPACT OF FRIENDS SCHOOL: Like any high school, there were cliques, but no one was mean to anyone. I still have an unbelievably close relationship with my friends. We get together two or three times a year. I feel like I was well prepared for college and in use of critical thinking.

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and videographers spread throughout the country, we're able to deploy creators where they're needed. Surround yourself with people that accept you for who you are and challenge you, and you're able to be the best version of yourself. I have been part of multiple start-ups like the LXM Pro Tour, which was a professional lacrosse tour that had a pro All-Star game and a concert. I learned a lot from raising capital to what operating an actual business looks like and managing athletes, personalities, and players.

IMPACT OF FRIENDS SCHOOL: My obsession with being on a team and the understanding of the importance of teammates and relying on one another started at Friends. In order to win a game or even be competitive in a game, we needed every single person on the team to do their job and do it really, really well. Our class went from the B Conference in lacrosse to the A conference for senior year. To compete, we had to figure out how to support this guy over here and [know] that the person next to you is doing their job. As a pro, you accept that your role is what’s the best thing for the team. I learned all that at Friends. I played pro for a really long time, in part because my body held up, but because being part of a team was all I knew. It’s the Quaker philosophy of Community. Everyone has a responsibility, and everyone respects what people bring to that community. It’s legitimately life-changing in any field. That was why senior year [lacrosse team] was so fun.

In the new conference, we went into every game knowing it was going to be an absolute beat down, and we for sure lost a ton of games, but, that year, we won some, too!

NOTABLE FRIENDS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Ezrine, who taught algebra and coached lacrosse, and Mr. Neiswender, my basketball coach, were the two most impactful coaches I had but for different reasons. Mr. Ezine was relatable. He was in grad school when he was teaching and would jump in lacrosse or basketball games with us. Mr. Neiswender was the first coach who held me accountable as a leader. Other coaches had reprimanded me if I did something wrong, no different from the stuff a normal coach does, but he was the first one to put me in a position that when stuff went wrong with the team, I needed to fix it. He showed me that if you want to get to where you want to go as an athlete and leader, you have to be willing to step in and be in some uncomfortable conversations with your teammates. It was so helpful, because where I was headed, if I didn't do that, I wouldn't have reached my full potential.

with him? Sports has afforded me opportunities I never could have imagined, and I am so lucky to travel and meet really impressive people all over the country.

CURRENT JOB: I am one of two associate head coaches for the Naval Academy. Everywhere I have been is special, but at Navy, the players are definitely a unique breed. They’re so determined and dedicated. All the leadership opportunities that they're afforded are unbelievable. Every single one of our players is a leader. They know that they are meant for something bigger, to serve their country. You can see all the lessons they learn from lacrosse that they take with them to the military and vice versa, and it is extremely inspiring.

IMPACT OF FRIENDS SCHOOL: I joke that I don't actually know how to make friends. I lucked into such an awesome friend group. We were all competitive in the best way in the classroom but also so supportive and understanding of each other. I was beyond prepared for college at Northwestern; academically, socially, and athletically. At Friends, I learned how to work with others, how to study, and how to prioritize. Friends also exposed me to so many different kinds of people. I was comfortable having conversations with just about anyone. That's something that I've taken with me into coaching and to make sure I'm welcoming others. Coaching is really about connections and relationships, and those are skills I definitely learned at Friends.

NOTABLE FRIENDS EXPERIENCE: So many thoughts come to mind but, for our last lacrosse game of senior year, we won the championship against Garrison Forest. Our coach had just had a baby and didn’t coach us that season, so my mom [Dia Price Matthews ’81] coached the team. This might have been the beginning of my coaching career, because I would plan practice every day with my mom. I would say: “I like your idea, but this is what we should really do.” It was a really memorable experience to be with all of my friends and be able to see the hard work pay off, and also to dump the cooler of Gatorade on my mom after we won.

BROOKE MATTHEWS SHRIVER ’07

BROOKE MATTHEWS SHRIVER ’07 HOW SHE GOT HERE: I always knew I wanted to be involved in athletics in some capacity. After college, I thought I would try coaching since I had always worked camps and coached club teams. I lucked into the profession, but it's been awesome. After Northwestern, I was assistant lacrosse coach at Mount Saint Mary’s, then assistant coach at Penn State before coming home to be assistant athletic director and head varsity coach at Bryn Mawr School. I also helped coach the USA U-19 Women's Lacrosse Team that won Gold in the 2019 World Cup Championship. I obviously love lacrosse, but I think the people are the best part. You get to meet so many awesome people, and I've gotten to do so many really cool things because of sports. I was at a gala for U.S. Lacrosse this past June and met Eli Manning. Who would’ve thought I would have a conversation

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D.E.I. Introducing Dr. Whittney Preston: The New Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion We are pleased to announce Dr. Whittney Preston, Ed.D. as our new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Preston joins us from Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Va. where she served as the Dean of Inclusive Excellence.

Preston brings over 10 years of experience as an educator and administrator to this role. She began her career as a Spanish teacher for lower, middle, and upper school students at Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma City, Okla. Her classroom became a sanctuary for students who felt comfortable sharing their experiences and aspirations for a more inclusive school environment. During this time, she developed a passion for diversity and inclusion work and transitioned to the role of Associate Director of Diversity and Inclusion.

At her next job as the first Dean of Inclusive Excellence at Foxcroft School, Preston played a pivotal role in shaping the position. She created a community of belonging for faculty through recruiting, onboarding, mentoring, and support; led

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professional development opportunities; planned school-wide programs including the school’s MLK Jr. Day of Service; and established affinity groups for students and employees.

In addition to driving Foxcroft’s DEI initiatives, Preston served as the Dean of Faculty, the World Language Department Chair, and cared for boarding students after school hours as an Administrative Duty Officer. Needless to say, she wore many hats.

Reflecting on her own educational experiences in independent schools, where she often felt like an outlier, she emphasizes the importance of representation. "I want to ensure that there's representation of all students within independent schools because it benefits everyone," Preston shared. This foundational belief drives her commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment at Friends School.

Looking Forward: A Vision of Belonging In her first year, Preston has set clear priorities. Her theme for the 2024-2025 school year is Belonging; making sure all students and employees – no matter their race, religious beliefs, gender identity, etc. – feel a sense of belonging in the Friends School community and beyond. The goal is to understand the community; its culture, climate, and existing DEI efforts. "It’s essential to know the community well to create meaningful programming," she asserts. Recognizing the strong foundation already laid at Friends, she aims to build upon this work across all divisions of the School.

D.E.I. ⊲ Central to her vision is empowering student leadership in DEI efforts. Preston sees immense potential in establishing a strong student diversity leadership council and introducing courses that cultivate DEI practitioners. By creating platforms for student voices, she believes leadership can emerge at every grade level, from Pre-Primary to the Upper School.

One exciting initiative she is spearheading is the formation of DEI Delegates. This council will gather student leaders from various culturally focused clubs including the Quaker Student Union, the Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools (FOCUS), the Muslim Student Union, the Jewish Student Union, the Black Student Union, the Human Rights Club, and the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, facilitating discussions around intersectionality and strategic initiatives that resonate across the school. There will also be a strong focus on gender identity and inclusion in the coming year.

To ensure DEI efforts resonate, Preston emphasizes the importance of engagement. Listening to students and staff is extremely important. "If the programming doesn't meet their needs, they won't be engaged," she explains. This philosophy extends to parents as well; a monthly DEI newsletter will keep families informed and involved, fostering a sense of partnership within the community.

Success in DEI initiatives will be tracked through engagement metrics and surveys. "Data is super important," she emphasizes, noting the need for ongoing dialogue with the community to gauge the effectiveness of programs. By maintaining an opendoor policy, Preston aims to foster a culture of feedback and continuous improvement.

To stay updated on best practices in DEI, Preston actively engages with a network of practitioners through organizations like the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Association of Independent Maryland and D.C. Schools (AIMS). This collaboration extends beyond the School, as she looks to build partnerships with other schools in the area and community organizations. By connecting students and staff with peers from other institutions, she hopes to create a broader understanding of diversity and inclusion.

As Friends School embarks on this next chapter under Whittney Preston's leadership, her commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment is clear. With a focus on collaboration, representation, and meaningful engagement, she is dedicated to ensuring that every member of the community feels a sense of belonging. Together, with the support of students, staff, and families, the School is poised to enhance its DEI efforts right now, and into the future. ■

“I want to ensure that there's representation of all students within independent schools because it benefits everyone.”

– Dr. Whitney Preston

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ACADEMICS Teaching Teachers During Professional Development Days At Friends School of Baltimore, faculty and staff professional development (PD) days played a crucial role during the 2023-24 school year in shaping an effective and responsive learning environment. The professional development initiatives focused on several key goals aimed at addressing evolving educational needs and advancing teaching practices.

One of the primary goals for the PD days was to equip faculty with the skills needed to support the diverse learning profiles of students in the post-covid era. The pandemic has led to significant shifts in student needs, with an increase in students exhibiting varied learning profiles and neurodivergent differences. Faculty expressed a desire for more professional development in this area to better understand and meet these needs. To address this, Assistant Head of School for Academics Rasha El-Haggan put together targeted training sessions led by experts such as neuroscientist and educator Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, who specializes in the science of learning. Horvath’s sessions focused on understanding how people learn and adapting teaching methods to

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support students at various levels. By grounding the approach in the science of learning, the School provided faculty with practical strategies for teaching students who fall above and below the average learning trajectory.

Another crucial aspect of the professional development efforts involved translating theory into practice.

Educator and special education expert Dr. Shelley Moore’s approach, using a viral video analogy about bowling, highlighted the importance of addressing all students, not just those in the middle. Her research helped faculty develop practical tips for supporting diverse student needs and ensuring no group was left behind. This information was incorporated into the PD sessions, providing faculty with actionable tools and techniques.

Enhancing the alignment of teaching practices and fostering collaboration across the divisions was, and continues to be, an important part of PD days. As part of the Association of Independent Maryland & D.C. Schools (AIMS), the school is in year four of a ten-year action plan strategy to improve pedagogical processes. This involves restructuring faculty meetings and planning sessions.

For instance, the Lower School

schedule has been redesigned to include collaborative planning time for teachers across grades, not just within grade levels. This helps balance workloads and creates opportunities for teachers to work together on curriculum and teaching styles.

Professor of Education and Director of the Melbourne Education Research Institute at the University of Melbourne, Australia John Hattie’s research was also incorporated into 2023-2024 PD, underscoring the importance of collective teacher efficacy—the belief in the ability to make a difference. This helped facilitate and foster conversations about collective beliefs and values as a school. By building a shared understanding and confidence in teaching methods, the School aims to enhance communication and build on current practices.

To measure the success of the professional development days, conversations were had with faculty to assess whether the goals were met and how the different sessions were received.

Upper School English teacher Joshua Ratner found the sessions extremely helpful and relatable to his work:

academics ⊲ How Relevant are the Basics of Education Today?

How relevant are reading, writing, and arithmetic – the basics of education – in the dawn of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology? We asked several Friends School educators to weigh in.

Are the basics as important as ever?

"I appreciated the ways that Cognitive Coaching training aligns with lots of things we practice at Friends already: trying to help students or colleagues figure out for themselves what matters most; thinking about when a particular teaching or meeting protocol is helping or distracting us; finding ways to keep the focus on whatever it is we're determined to address. It's striking to realize how much really small choices matter, too--in practicing coaching with colleagues, we could see how much it changed the conversation when we phrased questions deliberately or really took the time to pause and let a colleague think through something on their own.”

Additionally, faculty worked on creating white papers to document and review curriculum and pedagogical practices, ensuring that approaches remained relevant and effective. Moving forward, faculty and staff will be provided with surveys to collect their thoughts on the various sessions that are presented.

All professional development sessions are designed to address the evolving needs of students and support faculty in delivering excellent education. By focusing on understanding student profiles, implementing practical strategies, and building collective efficacy, the School aims to continue to be a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. ■

Christine Koniezhny, Upper School Assistant Principal: I remember when people in education thought the Internet was going to profoundly change teaching and learning because we weren't going to have to spend time on the basics anymore because you could just look it up. We know that fundamental skills are what allow us, once we have a fluency with them, to do critical thinking and to be creative. . . .

Students are really learning how to learn as they interact with the basics.

Christian Donovan, Head of School: There’s a certain foundation that you need to be able to do higher level work. Our students need a strong base in arithmetic, reading, and writing to be able to formulate good questions, collaborate, and listen deeply.

Michael Paulson, Upper School English teacher: Basics might be even more important now. We’re seeing a lot of pushback against AI and social media. Hopefully, the way that we teach students about these tools is precisely that: they are tools and not the foundation of their learning. There's great value in being thoughtful, in being

curious, being substantive, being patient and sitting with a text and not a screen.

Our Upper School English classes are very discussion focused, which is not an easy skill, but if you chip away at it, it becomes a practice and something that you can then use for a lot of higherlevel activities.

How does Friends teach the basics to be relevant in today's world?

Rasha El-Haggan, Assistant Head of School for Academics: We're recommitting to reading, writing, and math and to our core Quaker values. We want our students to be change-makers and powerful leaders who advocate and speak to power.

In the 2024-2025 school year, our professional development is focused on our curriculum and asking, ‘What does better look like?’

John Watt, Middle School math teacher: There are various mathematical games I've acquired over the years that are teaching concepts, including dice-rolling games. By rolling dice, they discover that there are six ways to get a seven, etc. In sixth grade, we do a consumer unit and go to the grocery store to look for the prices of things per pound to learn percentages in a meaningful way.

I ask students to modify a recipe [by increasing] the number of people served.

They can use technology, but they still have to understand what they get on their machine when they get it.

2023–2024 Academic Awards Use the QR codes to view the Senior Awards and Language Awards.

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Author Visits The Friends School Visiting Author program originated to help students make connections with great writing, illustrating, and the people behind the work that goes into producing books. Every year several authors come to speak to each division about their books and their experiences writing them.

Author Jenny Offill visited the Upper School in fall 2023 to read from her latest novel, Weather.

She spoke about the writing process and influences on her work. The New York Times named her second novel, Dept. of Speculation, one of the 10 Best Books of 2014. Weather: A Novel was published in 2020 and lauded by the Boston Globe as, “tiny in size but immense in scope, radically disorienting yet reassuringly humane, strikingly eccentric and completely irresistible.” Her critical work has appeared in The New York Times Book Review and Slate.

In spring 2024 Friends welcomed New York Times best-selling author Dashka Slater to campus to talk to students about the meaning of accountability, hate speech, toxic humor, and the consequences of online choices.

Slater is an award-winning journalist and the author of twelve books of fiction and nonfiction for children and adults including Accountable, which provided the framework for her presentations during her visit. ■

The Lower School Mock Ezra Jack Keats (EJK) Awards Program The Mock Ezra Jack Keats (EJK) Awards Program at Friends School of Baltimore is a months-long collaboration among Lower School homeroom teachers, the librarian, and the technology educator where students engage in a literary analysis project. The Mock EJK Award is based on the real Ezra Jack Keats Award, which “honors outstanding authors and illustrators whose books, in the spirit of Keats, celebrate the diversity of our culture and depict children from the widest spectrum of ethnic groups and around the world.”

Recognized by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation and the deGrummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi, Friends School’s Mock EJK Awards Program was generated by Lower School Assistant Principal, PK-2 (at the time a kindergarten and pre-first teacher) Frannie Morrissey in 2019. At the time, Morrissey was searching for diverse literature for her classroom and approached the librarian about doing a mock award such as was done for the CLASSROOM S P OT L I G H T:

Caldecott and Newbery awards. The librarian discovered that there was no mock award process designed for the EJK Award and contacted the EJK Foundation about beginning one. This year marked the fifth year of our Lower School students participating in what is now the formal EJK Foundation's Mock EJK Award. It has spread to over 70 institutions in the United States.

How does it work? After choosing a list of eligible picture books from new publications in a given year, students engage with each book in various ways every week. Once the initial list of books is read, discussed, and rated, students go through a process and decide on the shortlist of books (usually 5–7).

There is then a final round of voting to determine the overall winner. ■

Lord of the Flies Unit

The eighth grade Lord of the Flies unit offers an opportunity for students to delve into the complexities of human nature. The unit developed by English teacher Megan Wilberton aims to challenge students' perspectives on their role in society and the impact of their choices on others. Additionally, students enhance their literary analysis skills through the examination of symbolism, themes, and character development within the novel. As a culmination of the unit, they organize a mock trial, allowing students to practice their argumentation skills by presenting a case involving one of the characters from the novel. ■

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academics ⊲ FRANCE

KYRGYZSTAN

A Look Into the 2024 Language Immersions Trips The Language Department at Friends School of Baltimore strives to instill in its students a passion and curiosity for becoming more deeply interconnected with cultures spanning the globe.

Our language students develop linguistic proficiency, become wellversed in cultural comparisons, and may travel abroad as part of the Upper School’s Language Immersion Program.

This year, two groups of students traveled to Kyrgyzstan and France to see what daily life is like for teenagers in another country. What do they study at school and how do the teachers deliver their lessons? What do they do with their friends for fun? At the heart of these modern language trips abroad, students gain a wealth of knowledge and expand their understanding of communities around the world.

Language Department Chair and Russian teacher Lee Roby, and Middle School Russian teacher Nat Leach ’14, accompanied ten Friends’ Russian students to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for a 15-day trip of a lifetime.

This immersion program featured cultural programming and homestays with Russian-speaking Kyrgyz families.

Students lived with Russian-speaking Kyrgyz peers, attended classes at the London School of Languages and Cultures, participated in peer activities with Kyrgyz teenagers, and engaged

in cultural activities and excursions.

Students used their Russian in authentic contexts, making remarkable gains in proficiency and hopefully, lifelong friendships.

In an exciting turn of events, Leach and our students even made the news while on their trip! During a Nooruz celebration (an important holiday celebrating the equinox in Central Asia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India) in downtown Bishkek, students began chatting with the police and were invited into the central square - sort of a VIP section.

While there, they were asked to give an interview to the press that was aired on national news.

In another part of the world, twentyfour 11th and 12th–grade Friends students lived with French families in the region of Lyon for 10 days, going to school with their hosts, spending time with their friends, and attending their activities. French teacher and trip chaperone Kristen Andrews said “one of my favorite parts of the trip was when we got to see the students again after their homestays and hear how they experienced their host families and schools. They shared with each other the similarities and differences they noticed between the U.S. and France, and they also could see the differences among French families and schools. Having an experience that is both deep and broad in that way is one of the benefits of Friends School’s

language trips--the homestay within the group tour.”

Christine Koniezhny, French teacher, Upper School Academic Dean, and trip chaperone talked about how impressed she was with the significant linguistic gains made by students over the course of the two weeks, in no small part due to their willingness to step outside of their comfort zone. “It made us very proud,” she said, “to see our students’ open-mindedness toward cultural difference and their capacity to forge a meaningful bond with their host families in a relatively short span of time.” For a few days before, and one day after the homestay, students visited Paris as a group. Highlights included visits to the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, a guided historical walking tour around the Jardin du Luxembourg, a cruise on the Seine, an exploration around neighborhoods, and of course, going up the Eiffel Tower at night to see the beautiful City of Light.

Through carefully crafted immersion trips, Friends School students are empowered to engage with communities around the globe, furthering their proficiency in different languages, and expanding their sense of connection beyond Baltimore. These transformative experiences not only create lifelong friendships but also instill appreciation for cultural differences, preparing students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. ■

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ARTS

MOANA JR.

In March, the Middle School presented Disney’s Moana Jr. This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage.

First Grade Students Present the Quaker SPICES Our first grade students presented the Quaker testimonies (SPICES) through various performances and songs broken into different acts. For Stewardship the students sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow accompanied by the Lower School librarian, Ryan Maguire, on the ukulele.

The students wrote and performed skits on Integrity. Peace involved the sharing of student-written acrostic poems. Beautiful and meaningful flags were created by the students, with the help of Lower School art teacher Caren Shelley, that represented their culture and heritage for Equality. For Community the students sang Lean On Me by Bill Withers and participated in a dance choreographed by dance instructor Rachel Byers. For the final act, students sang a song written by first grade homeroom teacher Claire Kundhi, Simplicity, based on Eddie Vedder’s Society, which was accompanied by orchestra director Kirsten Walsh on the cello and Lower School music teacher Anthony Ajluni on the guitar.

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MIDDLETOWN

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Upper School Performances

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU

Middletown, the Upper School Fall Play, is a deeply moving and funny play that explores the beauty and messiness of a small town.

The Upper School Spring Musical, Once Upon A Mattress, brought whimsicle fun to its audiences.

The Student-Run Play, You Can’t Take It With You, focuses on a wacky family who has been happily living their zany lives without the regular stressors in life.

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Art Shows FACULTY The first Katz Gallery exhibit of the 2023-24 school year was the annual Faculty Art Show. Faculty with art in the show included Bannister McKenzie and Khristian Weeks (Pre-Primary); Bonnie Vysotsky and Caren Shelley (Lower School); Rodney Ruley (Middle School); and Ben Roach, Sylvia Eken, and Erin Hall (Upper School).

ART MAJORS

Held in the Katz Gallery, the Art Major Art Show is a cumulation of work created by our Upper School art majors throughout the school year. A special congratulations to our senior art majors, Ollie Hovermill '24, Shirene Gehawi '24, Nigel Lewis '24, Victoria Lemon '24, Che' Stokes '24, and Idris Mosely '24, who presented a wide range of work in a variety of mediums and styles.

Top: Artwork by kindergarten teacher Bannister McKenzie.

Bottom: Victoria Lemon '24 with her art major work.

All State Musicians Congratulations to Oliver Wu ’26 (Violin, Senior Orchestra), Charlotte Andrews ’27 (Bass, Junior Orchestra), and Julia Reifsnyder ’27 (Violin, Junior Orchestra) for being selected as All State Musicians for the 2024 season!

Almost 950 students performed in nine different All State ensembles, for over 3,000 audience members. Each performance was a testament to everyone’s love of music and support of music education in Maryland.

All State is run by the Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA). There are two age groups that students across the entire state of Maryland can audition for. The Junior Orchestra is seventh through ninth graders and the Senior Orchestra is 10th-12th graders. The MMEA is a leading advocate for music education encompassing a broad range of cultural and musical experiences and the right of every student to experience the power of music.

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arts ⊲ The Jazzy Nutcracker The Jazzy Nutcracker kicked off the holiday season with a weekend of beautiful and spirited dance! Choreographer and dance teacher Rachel Byers set out to create her own version of The Nutcracker, based on the original ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, with jazzy selections by Duke Ellington.

Bringing new life to this classic piece allowed student-dancers from all three divisions to experience the story of Maria and her magical journey through a “Winter Wonderland” and the “Land of Sweets” in a fun, modern way.

The 2024 Fay Karfgin ’59 Visiting Artist– Dean Mitchell The Katz Gallery hosted visiting artist Dean Mitchell with selected works from his show Power and Light, The Work of Dean Mitchell. Mitchell is well known for his figurative works, landscapes, and still lifes. In addition to watercolors, he is accomplished in other mediums, including egg temperas, oils, and pastels. Mitchell has been featured in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, American Artist, Artist Magazine, Fine Art International, and Art News. This visit and exhibit was made possible by The Class of 1989 Visiting Scholars Program and the Fay Karfgin ’59 Art Lecture Fund.

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ATHLETICS CONGRATULATIONS COAC H JE N S MI TH

FOUR TEAMS FINISHED AS CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!

P’19, ’22, ’24, H’24 2023 MIAA CROSS COUNTRY COACH OF THE YEAR + WINNER OF THE FRIENDS SCHOOL HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD Jen focuses not only on the team's overall success but also on the individual development of each athlete. This includes improving running techniques, building endurance, and addressing individual strengths and weaknesses.

She works to build up the team by creating a cohesive and supportive team environment day in and day out at practice.”

MIAA V SOCCER IAAM V SOCCER MIAA JV SOCCER MIAA JV CROSS COUNTRY

FOLLOW US → FSB Livestreams sporting events each school year! https://events.locallive.tv/ school/friends-baltimore

→ @quakernation on

Instagram celebrates all aspects of athletics at Friends including game schedules, college signings, and accomplishments by our student-athletes.

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The Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) awarded Friends School past parent and Cross Country coach Jen Smith the winner of the 2023 MIAA Cross Country Coach of the Year, as nominated by her peers and selected by the MIAA Executive Committee, in coordination with each MIAA Fall Sports Chairperson.

Friends School Athletic Director Kara Carlin submitted a nomination for Smith, providing solid evidence that she is an excellent coach and is very deserving of this honor. In an excerpt from her submission she wrote, “Jen is the go-to coach for many of the newer cross country coaches when they are looking for guidance. An exceptional cross country coach is typically recognized for various qualities and achievements that go beyond just winning races; Jen has all of these attributes in spades! She believes in every athlete's development.

With three sons who have graduated from Friends, being married to Friends alum Burck Smith, Jr. ’88, and having an impressive list of accomplishments at Friends School, it seems fitting that Smith was presented with the 2023 Honorary Alumni Award. Smith has been an integral part of the Friends community for more than a decade. She has been found in the classroom as a substitute teacher, on the fields as Cross Country and Track & Field coach, or wearing one of her many hats with the Friends School Parents Association. She helped with the School’s Setting the Stage Campaign and chaired the Senior Family Gift Committee in 2022. During her tenure with the FSPA, Smith held almost every role including Class Parent, Grade Chair, Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Board. She was an integral part of the planning and execution of our MLK Jr. Day of Service and assisted with Scarlet & Gray Day over the years. ■

athletics ⊲ IA AM & MIA A ALLCONFERENCE AWARDS All-Conference is the honoring of individual athletic accomplishments.

These student-athletes are nominated by their coaches, and voted for by coaches of opposing teams. They have earned the recognition as the top athletes of their sport in their conference.

MIAA CROSS COUNTRY

Harry Abernathy ’26, Jen Smith Coach of the Year IAAM CROSS COUNTRY

Aubrey Lin ’24 IAAM VOLLEYBALL

Mikel Smith ’24 IAAM TENNIS

Asha Chhetri ’26, Ella Palmer ’25, Isabelle Ruley ’25 IAAM FIELD HOCKEY

Samantha Wilkins ’24, Kennedy Stokes ’24, Katherine Monk ’24 MIAA SOCCER

Brayden Mathias ’24 Player of the Year, Idris Mosley ’24, Orien Oglesby ’24, Sam Butz ’24, Ale D’Alessio ’24 IAAM SOCCER

Indigo Mosley ’26, Daryn Barnes ’26, Amira Dancer ’26 IAAM BASKETBALL

Lulu Mickle ’25 MIAA BASKETBALL

J.J. Porter ’24 MIAA SQUASH

Noah Ripke ’24 IAAM BADMINTON

Julia Reifsnyder ’27, Skye Linkroum ’27 MIAA BASEBALL

Sam Butz ’24, Henry Starr ’24 IAAM SOFTBALL

Macy Goldberg ’24, Lulu Mickle ’25 MIAA GOLF

Darius Danai ’24 MIAA LACROSSE

Nick McGowen ’24 IAAM LACROSSE

Ella Salvador ’24, Samantha Wilkins ’24, Tara Smith-Wallace ’24

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INTERVIEW WITH IAAM VARSITY SOCCER COACH

MARCELA ROBINSON Q: The IAAM Varsity Soccer team won the championships!

Why do you think your team had such a successful season?

A: Our success was largely due to the team’s commitment to our values and expectations. We focused on the little things, like organizing equipment groups to ensure everything was ready for practice, wearing the correct practice colors to build unity, and keeping track of all our soccer balls. When these small details were consistently taken care of, the team could focus on supporting each other on the field. Taking care of the basics allowed us to see the bigger picture more clearly.

Q: Can you tell me about a few key players on your team?

A: We had several key players who contributed significantly to our success, including Daryn Barnes ’26, Indigo Mosely ’26, and Amira Dancer ’26, who were all All-Conference players. But truly, the whole team embraced our culture and values. We focused on being good teammates, training with 100% effort, and holding each other accountable. They worked hard every practice, every game, and once that team chemistry and camaraderie clicked, the wins followed.

Q: Can you share some statistics from the season?

A: We scored 60 goals and allowed only 16 goals during conference play. Across all 18 games, we scored 79 goals and allowed 36. Our final record was 15-2-1, and we were undefeated in conference play.

by Kristen DeMarco Rickard

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your background in athletics, including your coaching experience and time here at Friends School?

A: Last season was my first year coaching at Friends. I began coaching in 2020, assisting the 2007 Coppermine Girls First Team under my former club coach, Val Teixeira. After one season assisting him, I went on to coach four teams across three years, working with girls’ teams from 2014, 2009, and 2007. I also assisted other coaches with their teams. As a soccer player, I attended McDonogh School, competing in four IAAM A Conference Championships and winning three. My senior year, our team was ranked number 1 in the nation. I went on to play Division I soccer at La Salle University, where we won the Atlantic 10 Conference Title in 2017. I also competed internationally with the Puerto Rican National Team for six years.

Coaching high school, especially in the IAAM, has always been a dream of mine.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to say about this incredible team?

A: This team had an incredible group of seniors and leaders.

As a first-year coach, I was grateful for their trust in me and the process, which inspired even our freshmen. This team was special—not only for what they accomplished on the field but also for their character off the field.

Coach Robinson (far right) with the IAAM Varsity Soccer team.

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athletics ⊲ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

LULU MICKLE ’25

SOCCER, BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL

Lulu Mickle ’25, a standout athlete in her senior year at Friends, has established herself as one of the most versatile and talented players. A four-time All-Conference Player in softball, Lulu's excellence on the field has earned her a commitment to play at Skidmore College. She has also been recognized as the 2023-24 winner of the Desmit Award and the FSAA Awards for both IAAM Basketball and IAAM Softball.

According to her softball coach, Ken Zalis, “Lulu is one of the top five players we've had in the program over the past 15 years. There is nothing she can't do on the softball field. Skidmore is very lucky to have her."

Her athletic ability extends beyond softball. Lulu is a 4-year starter in basketball and has also excelled in soccer, despite having limited experience. Friends School’s IAAM Varsity Soccer Coach/Program Coordinator, Marcela Robinson, remarked, “Lulu is one of the most talented athletes I’ve had the pleasure of coaching, but I think what truly makes her special is her humility paired with her commitment to being better. I was extremely surprised (I still can’t wrap my head around it) to know she has never really played soccer on a team prior to last season.

She exhibits excellent vision on the field and can play any position. I think she has played every position for me (except keeper, at least for now) but she does whatever the team needs with poise, composure, and determination. Athletes like her don’t just come around, and I feel lucky to coach her.”

IAAM Varsity basketball coach Lou Miguel sums it up: “Having coached youth sports for over two decades, I know first hand how rare it is to come across a generational athlete. The terms “generational athlete” or “talent” are so loosely used today. She is exactly that here at Friends. Lulu is a 4-year starter/star of girls basketball, a 2-year starter/star of soccer and a 4 year starter/star of softball. Along with being a great athlete, she is a fantastic student and human. She has always been a great teammate and very coachable. Lulu Mickle one of the best athletes ever at Friends” We wish Lulu the best of luck at the next step in her student-athlete journey at Skidmore!

2024 COLLEGE ATHLETES

Nick McGowan ’24 — Lacrosse, Pennsylvania College of Technology

Ella Salvadore ’24 — Lacrosse, Haverford College

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CLASS OF

2024

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CL A SS OF 2024 COLLEGE ACCEP TANCES & M ATR ICUL ATIONS Agnes Scott College The University of Alabama American University Arcadia University Bard College Belmont Abbey College Beloit College Boston College Boston University Bowie State University (2) Bridgewater College University of British Columbia Brown University Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University University of California Davis University of California Irvine University of California Los Angeles University of California Santa Cruz Case Western Reserve University Chestnut Hill College Clark Atlanta University Clark University Clarkson University Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Colby College Colgate University College of Charleston Colorado College Colorado School of Mines Colorado State University University of Colorado Boulder (3) Columbia University/Sciences Po Dual BA Community College of Baltimore County (2) Connecticut College Constructor University Coppin State University CUNY Brooklyn College Delaware State University University of Delaware Denison University University of Denver DePaul University (2) DeSales University Dickinson College Drexel University (4) Earlham College East Carolina University Eckerd College Elon University (2) Emerson College Fairleigh Dickinson University Fisk University Fordham University Franklin & Marshall College Frostburg State University George Mason University Georgia State University Gettysburg College Goucher College Grinnell College Hamilton College Hampton University Harding University Haverford College (3) University of Hawaii at Hilo University of Hawaii at Manoa High Point University Hofstra University

Howard University Ithaca College James Madison University Johns Hopkins University (2) Juniata College Kansas City Art Institute University of Kansas Kent State University University of Kentucky Kenyon College Lewis & Clark College Liberty University Lincoln University Long Island University (Brooklyn) Louisiana State University University of Louisville Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans Macalester College University of Maine University of Mary Washington University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Maryland, College Park (7) University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (3) McDaniel College McGill University Mercer University Miami University Michigan State University University of Minnesota Twin Cities University of Mississippi University of Missouri The University of Montana (2) Montclair State University Morgan State University (2) Mount Holyoke College Mount St Mary's University Muhlenberg College Neumann University The New School University of New Hampshire University of New Haven Norfolk State University North Carolina A & T State University North Carolina Central University University of North Carolina at Asheville University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina Wilmington Northeastern University (2) Notre Dame of Maryland University Oberlin College Occidental College The Ohio State University Old Dominion University University of Oregon Pace University, New York City University of the Pacific Penn State University, University Park Pennsylvania College of Technology Pepperdine University University of Pittsburgh Pomona College Providence College Purdue University Randolph College Reed College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute University of Rhode Island University of Richmond

Roanoke College Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers University Camden Rutgers University New Brunswick Saint Joseph's University (NY) Salisbury University (2) San Diego State University University of San Diego Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art and Design School of Visual Arts University of Scranton Scripps College Shenandoah University Skidmore College Smith College University of South Carolina Southern Methodist University Southern University and A&M College University of St Andrews St. John's College (Annapolis) St. John's University St Mary's College of Maryland (2) Stevenson University Stony Brook University Susquehanna University Syracuse University Temple University (2) Texas A&M University The University of Texas at Austin University of Toledo Towson University (2) Trinity College Tufts University Tuskegee University Union College United States Military Academy at West Point Ursinus College University of Utah University of Valley Forge Vassar College University of Vermont (2) Villanova University Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Virginia State University University of Virginia Wake Forest University Washington College (2) Washington University in St. Louis (2) Wellesley College Wesleyan University West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Virginia University Widener University William & Mary William Peace University University of Wisconsin, Madison The College of Wooster Worcester Polytechnic Institute Xavier University Xavier University of Louisiana Yale University York College of Pennsylvania Bold – Member of Class of 2024 is attending (#) – Number of members attending, if more than 1

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ALUMNI

Stacey Brown ’84 with her fiancé, Wes Coleman, and sons, Christopher Owens and Jonathan Owens, Edward Kane ’84 and Yvette Kane

2024

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Alumni Weekend

May 2-4, 2024 welcomed more than 300 alumni and guests back to campus. Members of the reunion classes ending in 4 and 9 honored athletes and alumni award recipients, toured campus, gathered for Meeting for Worship, and mingled at the annual on-campus Reunion Reception followed by their individual class parties.

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1. Cassie Motz ’89, Jen Asplen Little ’89, Leslie Belgrad Finton ’89, and Eric Pellegrino; 2. Temika Britton ’99 and classmate Rosalie Parker ’99 at the Reunion Reception; 3. Members of the 50th Reunion Class of 1974: Lynn Peddy Wailes, Natalie Shivers, Rand LeBouvier, Gay Ossman Rudow, Scott Rudow, Chuck Mitchell, Jani Hook; 4. Carl Schlenger and Mike Levin ’04

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5 5. Lizzy Frost ’09, Jaime Stup, and Eliza Gilmore ’09 at the 35th Annual “Mr. Nick” Lunch; 6. Charlie Totten ’04, Lauren Marks ’07, Eli Dresner ’04, Nick Silbergeld ’04, and Annie Silbergeld; 7. Charlie and Kate Koppelman Callahan '04 with kids and Sarah and Paul Greenfield '04

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8. Adam Meister ’94, Daryn Nakhuda ’94, and Adelle Waldman ’94; 9. Lindsay Leimbach ’84, Sally Huff Leimbach ’64, Wel Leimbach ’88, and Wendell Leimbach; 10. Juliet Azé ’19 with Dahira Lievano-Binford ’81 and Tom Binford

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Milestone Reunions The 50th and 25th reunions represent significant milestones, inspiring greater philanthropic giving to the School and reuniting meaningful friendships.

↑ 50th Reunion The Class of 1974 went above

and beyond to plan their 50th Reunion celebrations. In addition to the planned campus events, their special weekend activities included a golf outing organized by Chuck Mitchell, a party at David Blumberg’s home on Friday evening, and an afterparty hosted by Lynnette Young on Saturday evening. The Class of 1974 exceeded their goal of raising $100,000 during their Reunion year, being able to give $107,000 to Friends School in honor of financial assistance.

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alumni ⊲

↗ 25th Reunion The Class of 1999

Members of the Class of 1999 celebrated their 25th Reunion.

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← For additional photos from Alumni Weekend, visit the Friends School Flickr page.

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alumni ⊲ ↓ 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame The Athletic Hall of Fame Committee was proud to welcome the 2024 slate of inductees into the Friends School Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, May 3, 2024.

2024 INDIVIDUAL INDUCTIONS David H. Lentz ’74 Christopher J. Price ’74 Gay Ossman Rudow ’74 John M. Friedberg ’79 Laura B. Fine Liebman ’99 Brian P. Valle ’99 Caitlin A. Garman ’04 Ryan W. DeSmit ’09 Flannery K. McArdle ’09 Libby Nichols Willson ’09

Top: Rachel Tranter ’01, Athletic Hall of Fame Committee Chair, John M. Friedberg ’79, Head of School Christian Donovan Bottom: Doug DeSmit ’80, Pieter DeSmit H’95, Ryan DeSmit ’09

2024 TEAM INDUCTIONS 2004 Varsity Women’s Lacrosse Team Below: Members of the 2004 Varsity Women’s Lacrosse Team: Caitlin Garman ’04, Jillian Fritze Rice ’04, Lindsey Syropouls Wedekind ’04, Sallie Bennett (Coach), Cristina Reitmeyer (Assistant Coach), Abby Seiler ’04, Alanah Webb ’04

← We are always looking for volunteers to serve on the Nominations Committee.

To inquire about serving on the committee or to nominate a classmate for next year’s induction, please email hof@friendsbalt.org. Information about criteria for nominations can be found at https://www.friendsbalt.org/alumni/athletic-hall-of-fame FRIENDSBALT.ORG | FRIENDS SCHOOL

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2024 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD Established to recognize and honor those Friends School graduates whose professional or volunteer achievements have brought distinction within a particular field or vocational endeavor, locally or on a national level.

Michael K. Stern ’79

Alumni Association Board Member Alison Bomgardner Miller ’95 and Michael Stern ’79

After conducting postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mike started his career as an industrial scientist. He is the former CEO of The Climate Corporation, one of the world’s largest agricultural data science companies, and the lead of Digital Farming for Bayer Crop Science. Before joining Bayer, Mike had a 30 year career at Monsanto Company where he served in a variety of leadership positions including Vice President Row Crops Americas, President, American Seeds; CEO of Renessen LLC, a biotechnology joint venture between Monsanto and Cargill; and Director of Technology for Agricultural Productivity.

In addition to his leadership roles in the field, Mike is the author of 25 scientific publications and the inventor on 24 U.S. Patents. He has received several awards for his work in the industrial sciences, including most recently the 2017 National AgriMarketing Business Leader of the Year Award. Dr. Stern is an active member of the St. Louis community where he and his wife, Karen, reside. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Missouri Botanical Garden and on the Board of Directors of AquaBounty Technologies and Lavoro Limited.

Stacey E. Brown ’84

Stacey Brown ’84 and Alumni Association Board Member Holden Marshall ’15

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Stacey serves as the principal advisor on management and budget issues to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works which has one of the top five valuable asset portfolios of all federal agencies. They operate, maintain, and manage more than $212 billion worth of United States’ water resources infrastructure. The program’s main priorities include upgrading waterways, building climate-resilient infrastructure, and investing in science, research, and development. Stacey is responsible for all matters related to the development and implementation of the Civil Works budget and the reimbursable international and inter-agency support activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She has held several leadership roles throughout her time with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has served at Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and worked closely with senior Administration officials and Congressional leaders. Throughout her tenure, Stacey has been honored with several awards including the 2017 National Women of Color STEM Career Achievement in Government Award, the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal, Army Engineer Association in 2011, and the Superior Civilian Service Award, Department of the Army four times (most recently in 2017).

→ On Friday, May 3, 2024, we recognized four members of our community for their incredible

contributions to Friends and to their professional fields through our Distinguished Alumni Award, Outstanding Alumni Service Award, and Honorary Alumni Award.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD Established to honor a Friends School alumnus/a who has generously and loyally donated time and energy to enrich Friends and its future.

Caryl L. Connor ’79, P’06

Over the past 45 years, Caryl has dedicated herself to Friends School in a number of ways. Since graduating, she has volunteered extensively including serving on the Board of Trustees and various subcommittees over 10 years. She has been a part of the Development Committee, The Fund for Friends Committee, Quaker Mission Oversight Committee, participated in the countless phonathons, and been an active member during Reunion years. Caryl is a third generation alum and is the parent of a Friends alum Nicolle Connor ’06. In addition to her time spent in the Friends community, Caryl retired from more than three decades of a career in education.

She is currently indulging in her passions of travel, reading, and gardening. We thank Caryl for her contributions to the greater Friends community over the years.

Caryl Connor ’79 and Head of School Christian Donovan

HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD Established to honor a Friends School community member who exemplifies the Quaker philosophy and spirit, and who gives of him/herself to further the growth of Friends School and its community.

Jennifer S. Smith H’24, P’19, ’22, ’24

Jen Smith H'24 and Head of School Christian Donovan

Jen has been an integral part of the Friends community for more than a decade. You can find Jen in the classroom as a substitute teacher, on the fields as Cross Country and Track & Field coach, or wearing one of her many hats with the Friends School Parents Association. She helped with the School’s Setting the Stage Campaign, chaired the Senior Family Gift Committee in 2022, and this year was honored as the MIAA Cross Country Coach of the Year. During her tenure with the FSPA, she has held almost every role including Class Parent, Grade Chair, Vice Chair and Chair of the Board, and is currently the Treasurer. She is an integral part of the planning and execution of our MLK Day of Service and has assisted with Scarlet & Gray Day over the years. With three sons who have graduated or are graduating from Friends and being married to Friends alum Burck Smith, Jr. ’88, it seems fitting to present Jen with this award. We’re glad to know we won’t lose her presence on campus!

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Class Notes: 2023–2024

In these pages generations of alumni have shared life’s significant milestones and reminisced about their Friends School days. Be a part of the tradition. Send your news and photos to alumni@friendsbalt.org.

Digital images should be 1 MB or larger and sent in .jpg format.

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Susanne D. Emory vermontsue@aol.com

Susanne Emory shared that her husband, Clay, passed away on April 5, 2024.

Classmates Brownie Pearce, Betty Pearce, and Joanne Stevenson attended his memorial service. Susanne would be happy to hear from classmates, feel free to contact her with any news.

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Suzanne Gross suzannegross@comcast.net

Laird Mortimer was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II during his ten year term as the American Hospitalet to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. He recruited several American ophthalmologists and millions of dollars of medicine and supplies for the dozen Palestinian eye hospitals in the West Bank. He made many trips to the Holy Land during this decade. His wife Ann Kelly was a tremendous assistant.

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Patricia Tisdale Ptisdale96kp@gmail.com

Bob Millhauser writes that his family is doing well and that he and Abby moved to Raleigh, N.C. three years ago to a property adjacent to his wife’s daughter.

He says that he still misses Baltimore.

Lynn Bahlke Mills says that she is still greatly enjoying the joy of retirement with container gardening (over 30 varieties), lots of time to read, plus daily texting and occasional visits from their three daughters, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Bob Kriel is a faithful contributor to the 1955 class column, and I always look forward to hearing from him. “Linda and I are doing well and are about to head to our college reunions (65th for me). Our health is stable with no new problems

during this past year. Our big news is that our daughter from my first marriage is engaged, and the wedding happens in only 13 months. Her espoused, Graham, is a Provost in a California Maritime University, and has known her since high school. I am certainly slowing down, and have poor balance. I am still able to continue volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, the Raptor Center at University of Minnesota, and for the Conservatory in St. Paul. We recently performed for the Brahms Requiem (in German) which was thrilling but an incredible amount of preparation. I hope everyone will be around and able to gather for our 70th reunion in 2025.” Peter Block says that he is still helping cardiac interventional fellows write research papers or editorials as an Emeritus Professor. “Keeps me off the streets!” he writes, “At this point, no news is a good thing, though Betsy got blindsided by running dogs and ended up with a nasty compound fractured ankle.

Now nine weeks in to no-weight-bearing, she wryly has approved my certificate as a Nurse’s Aide. Hopefully further healing will allow us to go north for some of the summer in Wareham, Mass.” Peter sent a photo of a watercolor painting of an orchid given to Betsy by a neighbor which has kept him busy. Al Seivold wrote “Cathie and I sold our home in Murrells Inlet, S.C. last summer and moved to Delaware in September. We now have a home in The Cascades, a 55+ community in Delaware just over the Maryland line and about 10 miles south of Newark. This is our fifth home and our last! In each place we have lived, Md., N.Y., S.C., and now Del., we have always set out to improve, finish, and add to our new home to make it more pleasing and enjoyable. I

love to design things, the engineer in me, and here in Delaware, we have added flower gardens, ornamental trees and will soon have a screened porch included next to our sun room. We moved here primarily to be closer to family and to exit undesirable political policies that come with living in a “red state.” I will definitely attend our 70th class reunion next spring.”

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Nancy Aronson nharonson@gmail.com

The monthly Class of ’57 Zoom Meeting continues but at a new day and time: the third Wednesday of the month at 4:00PM ET / 1:00 PM PT. For ID and password, contact Bill Hammond at gellmu@gmail. com. Join us, the calls are really fun!

For any of you in the Northeast, Betty Hutzler Friedman is being honored by the Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon, Conn. Next spring there will be a special event and auction of her 500 artworks!

Any news? You can reach me, Nancy Hearn Aronson, at nharonson@gmail.com.

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Susan S. Hossfeld shossfeld@comcast.net

Betsy Banghart Bratz writes she is settling into her independent living arrangements and has made many new friends. She is working on her golf game trying to shoot her age! In July Betsy will join her step-son and his family going on a safari in Brazil to see the wildlife. Marsha Norris Cerquitella continues to live her quiet life in lovely Easton. Patricia Pike Dougherty and Frank are happy to report that they have been enjoying good health.

In the winter they divide each week between their golf course in Delray Beach, Florida and their condo on the ocean in Ocean Ridge, Fla. Summers are spent

From left: Laird Mortimer ’53 with his order and medal of knighthood; Bob Kriel ’55 and his daughter; Watercolor painting

by Peter Block ’55

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classnotes ⊲ at their riverfront condo in Amesbury, Mass., near their son, grandson and four great-grandchildren. There is lots of swimming, fishing, golfing and tennis playing. Travel consists of Caribbean cruises! Gail Welch Goldman and Fred have ten wonderful grandchildren, some of whom are just starting college. Susan Shinnick Hossfeld writes, “As usual we had a busy year, the time just disappears, or maybe I am moving slower. We did take our trip last year to Newfoundland and just loved the small villages and the ambiance. In January we went to Bend, Ore. for Carl to attend the annual Rotarian Ski Club trip, while I enjoyed the town.

Then in March we went to Snowmass again for the annual family ski trip, but the family could not go for various reasons, so it was just the two of us! (I gave up skiing.) Carl would come in a little early from the slopes, then we took small trips around the area. We love the west! Then in June our granddaughter graduated from Roland Park Country School. For her graduation we took the family to Niagara Falls which was a lot of fun. In September we will go to Rehoboth for a week.” Barbie Long O’Brien shared that Alex passed away last fall and then her dog Ella died just before Christmas.

With her brother’s help, he gathered her up and they began new traditions.

In January she rescued a small pit bull, Bonnie. In April she took a Viking Cruise, accompanied by a friend, to see the tulip gardens and the canals of Holland. In May her dear step-grandson and Julie were married in a very formal wedding. Trying on evening gowns after many years all worked out. Patrick took her on a tour of the beautiful town of Charleston. This summer she is planning a trip to Cape Cod to visit her son George and his family, though George lives about a mile away most of the year. Barbie attends cabarets, plays and other events with her brother and friends and all of the cultural opportunities in her new town of Osprey, Fla., including reading a book a week!

Jeanne Morrill Owings has been busy with her granddaughter Sawarin, a delight, and also delightful and cute are her two great-grandchildren Mira, 5, and Logan, 2.5. Jeanne’s daughter Karen works for Barnabas International, a mission organization that helps missionaries by locating counselors, psychologists, and

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psychiatrists in response to the requests of missionaries worldwide. They also offer workshops to help missionaries. Just recently, Karan and a friend drove with Jeanne to the northern neck of Virginia to a house on the Rappahannock River.

Jeanne also recently returned from a trip to Florida to visit a special friend. In spite of all of Jeanne’s activities she had time to write a book dealing with her spiritual journey. If anyone is interested in the book, please get in contact with Jeanne. Mac Price has five grandchildren, four boys and one girl, and three greatgrandchildren. Last year Mac had a very special vacation with his three boys and one daughter-in-law in St. Martin. He still goes to the Y every morning and is active at Trinity Episcopal Church in Towson. Kandi Foell Slade is energetic, upbeat, cheerful and still working full time. Her fourth great-granddaughter, Noa Katherine, was recently born. Kandi’s other great-granddaughter, Pepper, is planning a wedding in October.

Anne Easton Williams is now living in residential care in Tavistock, Devon, U.K. She had nine days in Central France with her eldest daughter in April where they enjoyed good food, wine and meeting with her daughter’s friends. In May there was a big family reunion in Oxford and she was able to visit with her grandson who lives in Australia with his family.

There were 27 family members from four generations. Frank Windsor reports that he and Ann are enjoying life at RiverWoods in Exeter, N.H. Their daughter Kate, Class of 1980, and son Andrew, Class of 1985, live nearby. They get to spend quality time with them and several of their grandchildren. Ann and Frank are looking forward to the 70th Reunion.

Henry Mortimer writes there have been lots of graduations for the Mortimer family during the past year: From George Washington Univ., Univ. of Richmond, Univ. of Delaware (Ph.D), St. Mary’s College, and in the next six months, graduations from Univ. of Maryland (one in Horticulture and one in Computer Science), Towson Univ., and 8th grade at Catonsville Middle School. Hap states these students and those after graduation are super smart and all have great jobs and careers. Their daughter-in-law, Amy, Class of 1987, still works at Friends School and heads up the admission process. Even though Hap

and Betsy are in good health, they will be moving to Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville this fall. We send them best wishes in their new home! On my visits to Susan Rugemer Kurtz, which are not as frequent as they should be, we always enjoy talking about Friends School and the good times we had. I have also visited Bettie Mullikin twice in College Manor with lots of conversations of our days at Friends School. It is with a great deal of sadness for our class to hear of the passing of Susan Stott Dugan, a valued member of our class. Again, with sadness, I recently learned of the death of Robert Brooks on March 6, 2024. Our deepest sympathy is extended to both families.

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Anne Bowdoin abowdoin@mac.com

The last year has been good for me (Anne Bowdoin). I spend time with my many new friends at RiverWoods in Exeter, N.H. My daughter Julie and her family live in Newburyport, Mass. where I visit often. I have traveled a little bit but not as much as I used to. In May, our 65th class reunion at Meredith Felter’s home was a big success. Good food and good memories! We are all looking forward to our next one in five years!

When I was in Baltimore, I also met with Meredith’s brother Jeb Felter ’63 and his wife Marge ’63. They don’t seem to have aged at all. My two grandchildren are in college, both at Santa Clara University in Calif. My daughter Alice lives in L.A. so I am looking forward to traveling out there to see them. In August I plan to spend a week at the Carter Family camp on Squam Lake, two hours north of Exeter. I wish all of my old classmates are doing well and maybe see you at our 70th!!

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Linda Stevens lindabstevens@aol.com

Hello Class of ‘61. Keep the first week of May 2026 on your calendar for our 65th year reunion. May many of us be able to attend. As I have chatted with several classmates, it seems we all have hips, knees, back problems and various conditions with which to deal. Such is life in the 80’s. Now for news of classmates.

Sadly, in September of 2023, Mary Faith Woodman Miller passed, followed by her loving husband Patrick in April 2024

after a bad fall. So many happy memories I have of both. Don and I were able to attend their wedding — they almost made it to their 50th anniversary. Don and I (Linda Brecht Stevens) now live in Spartanburg, S.C. in a wonderfully caring CCRC community. We enjoy many activities on campus and in the community. Our very first visitors were Martha Welch Taylor and her wife. They love to travel, play golf, visit friends all over the U.S. as well as Martha’s grandchildren. It was so good to learn about their travels and fun. Not far from Spartanburg we have an occasional lunch with Bob Dalsemer who lives in a CCRC community in Black Mountain, N.C. Although Bob doesn’t call as many square dances and country dances, he continues to participate in Bluegrass and music around the Asheville area. On up the road near Blowing Rock, Nathan Smith and Geri have views of Grandfather and Table Rock Mountains — and even black bears at night! Summer takes them to their camp in Maine to kayak and eat a few lobsters. Yes, Nathan still has a basset hound. Sue Banghart also summers in Maine and is considering moving to Deer Isle full time in the future.

Hiking, some biking, kayaking, golf, dyeing wool, and weaving keep her busy.

Also escaping the Maryland summer, Mary Hannah Sands Arnot can be found in Thousand Islands as she has for many years. She keeps busy with her children and grandchildren. There are several farmers in our class. Susan Stafford Trew and Mort have beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Tennessee. They raise angus with the help of sons and grandsons on farmland that has been in Mort’s family for generations. The old family store — now closed — is right down the road. Don and I get to visit the whole family on special occasions and love breathing that fresh country air. Larry Hanley still maintains his family farm off of Belfast Rd. He also has great family help so he can summer at his cabin in Canada which has been in the family a good while.

Our other farmer is Chris Neumann who farms in Pennsylvania. Although he no longer has the Alpacas, Chris keeps busy mowing hay and growing vegetables.

As of June 2024, Chris’ wife Vicki is in Hospice care. The Cohens have had a challenging 2024 dealing with health

problems — Nina New Cohen has had a stroke affecting her eyesight and Martin has a meningioma and memory problems.

Nina has such a marvelous attitude and looks for improvement as they keep busy with grandchildren and activities in their community. From the symphony and applicants to the War College, living in Newport keeps them active. They love the Ocean State. Another sound and ocean lover is Nora Alexander Demmert. However, the atmospheric river conditions destroyed her retaining wall. After a costly repair Nora decided to sell her home on the water and move into a retirement apartment in the area.

Both sisters live in Bellingham so she now enjoys less stress that comes with a house. Nora enjoys staying busy with friends, bridge, and Zumba — no more tennis though. Florida has been home for several classmates. Pat Clouse Epifanio escaped damage from the awful hurricane that destroyed Sanibel and parts of Ft. Myers a couple years ago. Once a nurse, always a nurse as Pat continues as parish nurse to two congregations. For fun and silliness, she is a lady clown on occasion for the Shriner Circus and the county fair.

For vacations she enjoys cruising the Caribbean. Sylvan Seidenman and Sandy are also in Florida — Miami to be exact. They love going to NYC to visit graduates of the arts high school where Sylvan was counselor. Some are now dancing or choreographing for Alvin Ailey Dance, actors in plays, and screen or playwrights. What delight they have in seeing the success of former students.

They are considering moving to a CCRC so I’m hoping they will come to visit our community. Joan Yeager Cromer also lives in Florida and loves the sunshine and flowers. She enjoys many activities in her neighborhood. Back to D.C. and Maryland, I had a delightful chat with Bruce Steinwald who now has a for sale sign on his house as of June 2024.

Bruce and Ronnie plan to move to the Watergate Apartments to enjoy single floor living. They can always go to Cape Cod when they want a break from the traffic in D.C. They are proud of their two sons, both married but no grandchildren yet. One is an ENT/facial surgeon in Boston in case anyone is interested.

Bruce recalled the first time he ever

saw a color TV. It was when he was at Jane Benson Timberg’s house that the colorful peacock made its appearance before Bonanza came on the set. What memories we have! Speaking of Jane, she and her husband Lee Spence love to travel — the Galapagos Islands, a three week safari, C.A., London, etc. Living near the Magothy River, they enjoy boating — Lee is also a biking enthusiast. Jane teaches literature at the Anne Arundel Community College as well as engaging in many of the Annapolis activities. Jackie Horner Plumez lives just outside NYC and continues to help her clients. I was so sorry to hear that her husband died this past year. Jackie enjoys visiting her daughter and family in Singapore — and was even captive there during the early months of COVID-19. The novels that Jackie has written are still in the works as finding a publisher for novels is difficult.

Her other books are published so be sure to check them out. In retirement from Mount Saint Joseph, Jeannie Wright Meyer continues teaching Spanish and French for Baltimore County. She keeps busy with her children and grandchildren in Baltimore and enjoys traveling to Mexico with Glenn. That is all the news I have. Everyone else — give me a call or write an email so we can enjoy the memories.

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Eleanor Blake Fuller eaerobic@hotmail.com

John Slingluff and Paula had a very busy spring with plenty of grandkids’ activities.

Lacrosse was the big one of course. Their grandsons play for UNC, while their granddaughter Kate played for McDonogh and was well recognized as one of the best middles in the country.

She will be playing for her mom next year at UNC. One of his oldest grandsons, Johnny, graduated from Maryland. His major was in the medical engineering field. His group developed something for early newborn babies that helps them breathe. All of his other grandkids are doing “doggone” well in their own interests. John and family will be in the Adirondacks for the summer. Last summer was his first time being there for an extended stay. This summer will again be a special time. John hopes everyone in our class is well and wishes everyone the best. Jim Hammond is ever so grateful to

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classnotes ⊲ be here as he approaches eighty years as many do not live this long. Health has been an issue this past year, with the installation of a pacemaker and two (yes two) broken left wrists, one right after the other due to falls. The good news is that physical therapists are wonderful people with fantastic skills, and they have taught him much about balance, exercise and even how to walk as there is much Jim says he did not know. For example, the soles of one’s shoes make a difference.

Jim has not experienced any falls since the beginning of 2024 and is grateful that his “wake-up” injuries were not worse! On another note, after a four-year absence due to COVID-19, the Hunt Country Stable Tour, a function of Trinity Church, Upperville, V.A., resumed this year with over a thousand people flocking to Fauquier and Loudoun Counties to visit, yes, stables where horses live – racing horses, jumpers and even horses trained in dressage. The event is held in cooperation with the local farms and raises money for intentional outreach to meet local, national and even international needs. It is a win-win event for all, visitors, owners and recipients of aid, all thanks to the local culture which centers around agriculture and livestock!

Jim writes, “May peace and blessing abound for us all in the coming decade.”

Chris Sherman Raywood had hip replacement last November so she is now totally bionic – both knees and hips but it does not slow her down that I can see! She hopes nothing else breaks down as she admits that it took a little longer to recover this time. She still gets up and puts one foot in front of the other as you will see. She took two trips. Last fall she went to northern Italy with her Flagler friends flying to Milan and then went directly to Lake Maggiore – a beautiful hotel overlooking the lake. From there to Parma and a day trip to Modena to learn how balsamic vinegar is made and lunch at a Michelin starred restaurant (she was not impressed!). She then went to Bologna for the weekend and to Verona, a lovely city with a beautiful Roman arena where a rock concert was being held that night. She saw Juliet’s balcony, unfortunately overrun with people. The second trip in May was to take her granddaughters, Tori and Carly, to the south of France to celebrate her

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upcoming 80th birthday. We all know what birthday it was, Chris! In June, they went to Nice for three nights and the girls took a tour of Grasse (perfume factory) and several hill villages in the area. Then they drove to Arles, Chris’s favorite place in the world. She had not been there since 2019 and enjoyed seeing some of her favorite shops and restaurants that are back in business. They celebrated Tori’s birthday visiting Galio Ronan vineyard and wine cellar which was fascinating. The trip ended with four nights in London. They saw the John Singer Sargent exhibit at Tate Britain which was fabulous, had tea at the Ritz and saw Mamma Mia. It was a great new experience for the girls. Chris also saw Susie Seiler Haw while in London and she is doing well and looking forward to the summer and planting her garden.

Susie said to say hello to everyone! Chris is also going to Baltimore to celebrate her birthday and see Bill and family. Chris is looking forward to a quiet summer and no hurricanes. Oh sure. Also, Chris will go to Tori’s wedding in October in Tallahassee.

And she is still working at the Flagler Museum celebrating 30 years as a volunteer. Terry Walker reports that all is well with his entire family, he and Kathy, the kids and grandkids. Of note is that the oldest grandchild, Emma, is teaching English as a second language in Prague in the Czech Republic. Linda Kardash Armiger tells us that her family has had a great year so far. There are four adult children. And there are five grandchildren with three in their 20’s and a 12 and 17-year-old. Laurel is 12 and is a defensive lacrosse player for the champion lacrosse team and always makes the honor roll.

Logan is making great strides in her vocation in the spa world. She maintains a full book and has been invited this month to Nashville by Redken. MacKenzie, another scholar/athlete is now a graduate from the pony world into the world of the horse. Her horse is registered as Cabernet and they are beginning to work together for the show ring. Linda and Buck are finding it difficult to absorb the 80’s. Linda, as I write this, I believe you have a few more months to go as do I! They are also enjoying their adopted cat, Minnie. Linda is continuing to have trouble walking. Her ability is waning.

With both rheumatoid and psoriatic

Stock Buck ’62, Nick Nicolls ’62, and John Slingluff ’62 arthritis, she needs aid when she goes out. She continues to play cards and dominos each week as they have done for over twelve years. She considers it the highlight of her week. We are hoping for the best for you, Linda. Dianna Yeager Rankin has her granddaughter Madeleine staying with her. She has her dressage horse with her in addition and Dianna is coaching her daily. Besides horses and riding, they are enjoying each other’s company. In January, all of her children and grandchildren were visiting Dianna celebrating (again we know what birthday it is) her 80th birthday. What a wonderful surprise it was and they had a grand time.

In July, Dianna is moving to Wellington, Fla. She sees her daughter-in-law Marcie and her grandson Rocco almost weekly as they live close by. Rocco has been a lacrosse star this season. Dianna also keeps in touch with Chris Sherman Raywood who lives close by. Susan Bliss kindly said that I should get a medal for doing this for so long. Any takers, feel free to let me know! In February, Susan made a life-changing move to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) just a half mile from the Portland, Oregon condo where she lived for 18 years. Her memory is now refreshed as to the fact that moving is pure torture, but she is now well into the adjustment phase and is enjoying some of the features of her new home. From its roof deck, the nine-story building has a 360-degree view of the city, the Columbia and Willamette rivers, Mount Hood, Mount Rainier and other peaks of the Cascade Range – nice. A couple of weeks ago, well-informed Portlanders (who follow local news and weather) delayed their bedtimes to get an unusual one-night look at the aurora borealis, not usually seen as far south as Portland. Their roof

From left: Debbie Blucher Irvin ’63 and her granddaughter, Sloan Elizabeth Jordan; Joan Shinnick Kreeger ’63 with her son, Doug Kreeger; Linda LaMonica Monk ’63, her son, Gage Monk ’92, and her granddaughter, Katherine Monk ’24 gave gazers an unobstructed panorama of colored sky and the city below. No matter where you stood, though, the best view was through a camera lens, due, she supposes to the optical interaction between the lenses of eyes and cameras and the intense color in the sky. Could this marvelous light show over Oregon be the one positive gift we can expect from global warming? Bruce Goodwin and Lucy had a reasonably mellow year.

Bruce continues to increase his ratio of titanium to bone with yet another joint replacement. But he is thrilled with the mobility and it has made travel much more enjoyable. Bruce and Lucy recently returned from a week in Victoria, B.C. (Butchart Gardens). They are planning a small ship cruise of Alaska’s Inside Passage in September and perhaps a trip back to Md. in October to see his sister, who is struggling with health issues.

Bruce hopes to be able to see John and Paula Slingluff and Nicky at that time.

Carol Davidson Methven advises us that that they are doing well in Tennessee and went on their annual trip to Montana last October. They then headed to Florida for the Christmas holidays. Last fall their granddaughter Sydney played volleyball for Birmingham Southern College and Carol and her husband were able to watch the games through live streaming – yay for technology! Once the season was over, it became apparent that the school may be closing (and it did) which unfortunately happened to many small colleges following the pandemic. She was able to transfer to the University of the South (a.k.a. Sewanee) to play volleyball there. In May, Carol headed to Knoxville to attend their granddaughter Kendall’s graduation from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Biology. She plans to continue her education to

become a physician assistant. Two of her grandchildren in Florida graduated from high school in May. Matthew will continue his education at Santa Fe in Gainesville and his sister Katie (who finished high school in three years) will attend South Florida University in Tampa. (We here near Tampa call it USF). Whew they are growing up way too fast. In July Carol and her granddaughter Kendall are going to Ireland for two weeks – more about that next year! Nick Nicolls’ wife, Robin, passed away on February 15, 2024. Nick and her son were there for support from her strokes and COVID-19 issues. She will be greatly missed by many of us who knew her. I, Eleanor Blake Fuller am still here in sunny Fla. on a great island called Tierra Verde. My husband, Cliff, has had many, many hospital visits and lots of new issues but he is still with me and I am fortunate to still have our caregiver from Philly with us here in Fla. I do not miss Philly or Baltimore or cold weather one bit.

You all may remember I always had my heart in Fla. with my dad’s motel so I am thankful. Pa. kids and grandkids made a special visit this Father’s Day to see their dad and grandpa. He really enjoyed it even though he was very tired afterwards.

One granddaughter received her Master’s in Guidance Counseling and is seeing what may become available for her in the future. The other granddaughter has joined the Charlotte Hornets and their AAA team as their communications director after many years with Nascar. My wonderful grandson, Max spends his summers away from Orlando in New Hampshire with his mom and dad on Lake Ossipee. This year, at 15, he will be working at the lake area which will be great for him. He is 6’5” (didn’t get it from me) so, of course, plays basketball and also flag football while making the honor

roll as well. And, yes, my big birthday is heading this way this summer. Let’s keep healthy through this next decade and keep in touch with each other as well as our family and other friends. My very best to all of you.

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Donna Hasslinger Dhassli@aol.com

Debbie Blucher Irvin is very proud of her granddaughter, Sloan Elizabeth Jordan, who just graduated with her Bachelor of Music, Cum Laude, from Vanderbilt University. Sloan will be attending the Jacobs School of Music, at Indiana University for her master’s. In early March, Lary Jones took a trip to the Azores, an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic Ocean near Portugal. It was full of volcanic beauty and lake-filled calderas. Larry noticed that some restaurants even cooked meals of meat and vegetable stew in large pots sunk in the ground near the hot ground of the fumaroles.

Steve Greif has still not retired, but he is now expecting to be retired by Labor Day. He and his wife Maggie will be taking a family trip with their children and grandchildren to Yosemite National Park in California in August and Steve is planning a trip with their son to the Amazon River in South America in October. Joan Shinnick Kreeger was in Los Angeles, California in May visiting her son, Doug, who just received his Master’s in Fine Arts from Loyola Marymount. Joan and her significant other, John, enjoyed their driving trip through the Gaspé Peninsula from Quebec and back, and the very distinctive French Canadian rural, seaside country. Lily Kok-Forbush and her daughter, Tina, traveled to Jordan and Turkey in April. In addition to joining Lily, Tina traveled to about 20 countries in the Spring and Summer and she plans FRIENDSBALT.ORG | FRIENDS SCHOOL

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From left: Lary Jones ’63 on his trip to the volcanic Azores; Lary Jones ’63 saw pots of stew cooking in the hot ground of the fumaroles in the Azores; Lily Kok-Forbush ’63 with her daughter, Tina, on a hike in the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan. to go to Egypt and do some diving in the Red Sea before returning to her home and husband in Singapore. Chick Fetter Deegan and her husband, Mike, spent some time with their family in Glen Arbor, Michigan this summer and they were glad to get away from the heat and storms in Dallas, Texas, where they live. Their two granddaughters were working in Glen Arbor for the summer. Kate is beginning the fourth of her five years at Tulane University and was doing her architecture internship there. She will graduate after five years with her master’s degree.

Meredith was working and enjoying “free time” before heading to the University of Texas McComb School of Business.

Chick and Mike are finally cruising to Hawaii in October and they are using Joan Shinnick as their unofficial advisor for tours! In June Linda LaMonica Monk and her husband, Harrison, attended the graduation of their granddaughter, Katherine Monk ’24, from Baltimore Friends School. Katherine began her journey at Friends in pre-primary and she is the first of six LaMonica/Monk family members to receive a diploma that was not signed by Byron Forbush!

The family has enjoyed a long and positive relationship with Friends School, and they are forever grateful that their children and grandchildren have had the opportunity to experience and benefit from receiving a solid educational foundation that also instilled basic Quaker values. Katherine was accepted with an early decision into the nursing program at Providence College in the footsteps of her great-grandmother who was a Navy nurse during WWII. Susan Townsend and Tom have had a relatively quiet year although they were able to spend a lot of time in Vail, Colorado in the summer and time skiing in the winter. Her family is doing well and she

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treasures the time she has with them.

She particularly enjoyed playing golf with her grandson, Skyler Kessenick ’18, who has taken up the sport with a passion.

Donna Hasslinger continues to attend lifetime learning classes in Montgomery County, Md. and she sees friends from classes, Friends School, college, and the National Geographic Society where she worked for 35 years. She continues to organize several class lunches a year in Timonium and Columbia, Md. which most recently have been attended by Steve Greif, Marge Rowe Felter, Joan Shinnick Kreeger, Gail Moran Milne, Alice Long Gersh, Anne Skinner White, Susan Townsend, Lily Kok-Forbush, Skip Dugdale, Joane Knight Schumacher, Barbara Nolte Kearney, and Donna.

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Prepared by Sally Huff Leimbach

We need a new class secretary. Please reach out to the Alumni Office to volunteer!

Classmates who attended breakfast at Head of School Christian Donovan’s home: Dan Taylor, Betsy Knoche Wilhelm, Suzy Katzenberg, Paul Newbury, Anne Nicolls Haendiges, Sally Huff Leimbach. Jay Biddison joined us via Zoom. Friends provided delicious breakfast food. Head of School Christian Donovan provided an overview of Friends School as it is in 2024 and intriguing plans for the future. All were impressed with Christian (even if he is younger than many of our children). Dan Taylor was only able to attend this one event, as he was off to India the same day. Dan brought and shared some of his books. Although only Jay took advantage of the Zoom to join us, it worked quite well! Perhaps something to be tried again. Paul Newbury made it possible for us to see and listen to excerpts from

the 1964 Spring Musical, “The King and I.” Boy, did all of us look young. What a thrill to see/hear again! We ended our Zoom time with remembrance of classmates no longer with us, closing with a prayer and moment of silence. The Mr. Nick BBQ Luncheon was held in the Zamoiski Alumni Center. It was a delicious luncheon, and there was an attractive display of items from the reunioning classes. The Reception in the Gym was held from five to seven in the evening and was the time when the Class Photos were taken. Unfortunately, there were not many of our class that attended the reception. It was somewhat bazaar to be drinking wine in the Friends School Gym, but we did. Friends provided delicious and generous assortment of hors d’oeuvres. This was the only event that Jay Biddison and Bill Curry could attend in person. So glad that they could make it for the picture! The After Party at The Ambassador’s Dining Room (near Johns Hopkins Campus) was the most popular event. Counting “significant others,” 18 attended this event. Classmates attending: Betsy Knoche Wilhelm, Paul Newbury, Savitri Gauthier, Chuck Kay, Suzy Katzenberg, Jack Merriman, Katherine Benesch, Keith Korschgen, Lynn Gault Ingram, Sally Huff Leimbach.

All enjoyed the valet parking, delicious Indian food, but most of all, visiting, visiting, visiting with each other. No one wanted the moment to end. We closed down the restaurant at 10 pm. It was suggested that we not wait five years to be together again. Perhaps we can arrange an annual or semiannual Zooms.

Anyone want to be the coordinator of such an effort? Absent Classmates Sending Greetings: Sally contacted several classmates that were unable to attend reunion. Downie McCarty sent “Hello’s to all the old timers!” He and

From left: Chuck Barton ’68 at the National Museum of Qatar; Chuck Barton ’68 in the Qatar desert; Chuck Barton ’68 in Qatar

Helen celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. Laurie Owen Keene remembers Friends as “such an integral part of our lives.” Laurie found “the love of my life (Michael Keene ’63) at Friends School.” Charlie Rogers sent “very best wishes to all members of the Class of ’64.”

Sherry Kees Rudolph is still living on her mother’s farm in Baltimore County with her dogs and horses. Sherry was college roommates with Joe Cowen’s wife Ozzie.

Joe Cowan was bummed that he could not attend reunion. Joe had conflict with Hopkins Lacrosse duties. This year Joe had three grandsons playing on the Johns Hopkins varsity lacrosse team. Sue Grathwohl Dingle was missed but also had conflicts as she is now Clark County Poet Laureate in her new home state of Oregon. After many years of being our class’s amazing Class Secretary, Sue has earned a well-deserved retirement from that position. We desperately need someone to take over. Please contact Sophia Springer ’13, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement at Friends School, for details at alumni@friendsbalt. org or 410-649-3205.

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This class is in need of a class secretary. To volunteer, email alumni@friendsbalt.org

Geoffrey Greif writes, “I have been fortunate enough to dine in the past year or so with Alan Rosoff, Alan Levi, Diane Katzenberg Braun, Claire Blum Stampfer, Steve Asper, Nancy Shuger, John Holman and Tom Burton and would love to add to the list! A new co-edited textbook was just published, A Handbook of Contemporary Group Work Practice: Promoting Resilience and Empowerment in a Complex World (Oxford University Press) and I plan to retire from the University of Maryland School of Social Work at the end of 2025.”

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Arlene Bowes adbowesdmd@gmail.com

Chuck Barton, Friends School Alumni Board member and president of his Georgia homeowners’ association traveled to Doha, Qatar in January 2024 to visit his USAF son there.

Chuck noted the “wonderful public art, outstanding museums, incredible architecture, and feeling of safety.” He and wife Holly cruised the Danube from Germany to Bulgaria in 2023.

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Helen Blumberg helen.blumberg@gmail.com Ben Lentz lentzb51@gmail.com

Helen Blumberg and her husband Bob have traveled to the Scottish Highlands, Southern Italy, and New York City (his hometown). They also enjoy day trips to antique malls, hunting for offbeat finds. Their children (Jon Yeager ’97, Liz and Pete Guarnieri both ’00) and two grandchildren all live in Northern Virginia.

Julia Frank writes that she still practices part time at George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, seeing patients and teaching when asked. Her pride and joy, aside from two blooming grandchildren, is the Five Trimesters Clinic, which provides rapid, low-cost psychiatric assessments during pregnancy and postpartum, periods of high risk for developing mental disorders. For the past five years, she has been working on a fourth edition of her father’s landmark book, Persuasion and Healing, now finally in the hands of Johns Hopkins Press. For fun, she has returned to community theater, most recently as Martha in Arsenic and Old Lace. Having earlier appeared as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, she now signs herself Julia Frank,

WWoW. Donald Goldbloom has been living in Grantsville, Garrett County, western Maryland since his late wife Ruth Boyle Goldbloom and he were married in 1992. Don is still working full time in his private law practice and is assisting the local bar association in finding funding and personnel in the fields of mediation, parenting coordination, mental health evaluation, and custody evaluation.

In June, Don was baptized into the Mennonite Faith. This brings him “full circle” from being raised Episcopalian, influenced by the values instilled at Friends, to mentoring others in the tenets of peace, within ourselves and throughout all our relationships. Vicky Nelson Harvey and her husband of 45 years live in Reisterstown, Md. and have two sons. She thinks Friends gave her a strong base in education and is always interested in learning something new. She loved mixed chorus and the Friends School musicals: Bye Bye Birdie, Camelot, West Side Story, and Oliver.

Although we didn’t have gymnastics until our junior year, she remembers using the trampoline with another student outside the normal schedule (with no teacher present). She did dance for gym, never liked running up and down a field or court. She was on the swim team; which practiced at the Y in Towson.

She still swims at her gym and loves it.

Elizabeth Holman received her master’s degree in Social Services from Bryn Mawr in her 40’s and worked for about 19 years with people living with HIV/ AIDS. Now that she’s retired, she works part-time in home health care and has lots to say about how our systems fail our seniors. She has two daughters and five grandchildren and spends time with them as often as she can. She and her sister Emily were in Scotland for two

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classnotes ⊲ and a half weeks, allowing Elizabeth to revisit Edinburgh where she spent her college junior year abroad. When home, she practices tai chi, walks, and tries to keep up with the yard work. Ron Kovach and his husband did some major travel last year which included two weeks in Scotland cruising along the Caledonian Canal. Even though they traversed Loch Ness, there was no serpent spotting. They also spent a good bit of time in Croatia and Slovenia, both of which were beautiful. Domestically, they visited Big Sur and spent a week exploring Ohio. Ron and two friends pick a state each year to explore; next is Oklahoma! Ben Lentz writes that he is keeping busy with the “Three G’s” of retirement: (1) Gardening, with emphasis on native plants; (2) Golf, Ben has learned to appreciate Mark Twain’s statement that “Golf is a good walk spoiled”; and (3) Grandchildren, Janet and Ben have nine in the greater New York City area.

Kevin Patton and his wife Juli still live in Keizer, Ore. after seven years of retirement. Despite some health issues, they are both well. Their three grandgirls are all doing fine in their Virginia and Ohio homes. Two are homeschooled and into horseback riding. The other is an A student in high school with thoughts of becoming a dentist. Kevin’s main hobby of genealogy is continuing to excite as he discovers most of his extended family and in-laws are all cousins on paper (as opposed to DNA). He and Juli may relocate to Ohio in the future to be closer to their family. David Sherbow writes that he is living in downtown Baltimore. He is still working full time as a real estate broker, and he plans on doing something to produce income until the day he drops.

He is divorced and has an adopted 27-year-old son. He plays tennis three to four times a week and walks his Yorkie Poo, Kaleb, twice a day for a half to one mile. He is available to meet socially with his classmates. Louise Wagner says that the year has been one of travel and seeing old friends. In April she spent almost a week in Charleston, S.C. visiting a dear college friend who has lived there for years. While in Charleston, a group of friends which she and her sister Barbara ’75 made on their Rhine River cruise the previous year arrived, along with Barbara and her husband Tim. They

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all enjoyed exploring Charleston and its excellent restaurants. In September Louise traveled to Ireland for eighteen days on a Roads Scholar excursion.

Louise’s dog Lillie continues to be her constant companion. She and their home in Timonium, Md. are wonderful to return to after being away.

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Thomas Humphries tom@360signs.com

Mary Carroll Moore is still gardening, painting, and raising her two dachshund pups with her spouse in the mountains of southern New Hampshire. The past year has been quite intense for her: two of her novels were published. A Woman’s Guide to Search & Rescue came out in October 2023 and Last Bets in April 2024. Both books were bestsellers on Amazon and A Woman’s Guide became a finalist in two national book award competitions. Mary is looking forward to a quieter year ahead, although very happy about the success of these books.

She and her little family spend part of each winter in Florida living in their small RV. Biff Cox writes, “I retired in November 2019 just before COVID-19 hit.

I am living the life in Bel Air, Md. I have been here nine years. Can you believe I have eight grandkids? Hayes, Javy, Henry, Hutton, Hanna, Joel, Nathanel, and Ryker. Aged from 15 down to 4.

Hayes and Ryker in Texas, Javy, Henry and Hutton in Mass. Hanna and Joel and Nathanel have been in Japan for two and a half years and are coming back to Texas at the end of June.” Lynda St. Clair McRee shares, “2024 has proved to be a challenge. I was appointed the treasurer of my church. My husband, Ted, has undergone chemo for lung cancer.

I’m learning to be a caregiver. Our farm is continuing — lavender is blooming, some peaches and apples are growing — looking for ways to market these crops.

On a bright side, my son has completed his electrical apprentice program and is officially an electrical journeyman! Can’t complain. Busy is good!” After 33 years as a rural Family Medicine Physician and Family Medicine residency faculty member, John Wood is retiring at the end of June 2024! John shares, “To celebrate, my son Peter and I will be bicycling across the U.S. from Oregon to Rhode Island. If you see an old guy riding

an orange e-bike and pulling a trailer with an obviously younger person up front it’s probably us.” Marjorie Forbush and Mark still call Wooster, Ohio their home. They are fortunate to have their immediate family close by. Marjorie writes, “Both Mark and I like to call ourselves semiretired, although sometimes it does not seem like we are. After 45 years teaching elementary school, I accepted a job as an adjunct professor in the education department at the College of Wooster and Mark is still in the remodeling business. I still play any sport that I can, and Mark is an avid gardener, musician and potter. We have recently accepted a challenge to go on seven trips to celebrate our 70 years on Planet Earth!

So far, we have traveled to Turks and Caicos, Pictured Rocks National Seashore, and we have more journeys planned — one to Italy and who knows where? Any suggestions?” Beth Peacock Holcomb is still living in sunny Venice, Florida, but enjoys the Peacock family coastal Small Point, Maine homestead for several weeks each summer. She shares, “My three sisters now all call Maine their yearround home, but I’m still not convinced I could bear the freezing winters there. I continue to enjoy riding my bike on the trail while pelicans fly around me and manatees sometimes swim along, as well. My husband and I have become absorbed with helping out the feral cat community in our neighborhood. It is a labor of love, for sure. I invite you to follow me on Facebook and stay tuned for more old Beth news.” Ted Neustadt’s son Jack is about to get a Ph.D. from THE Ohio State University in ......Astronomy (what else would his son be doing). Ted writes, “When he was younger, I used to jokingly say to him there were two professions he couldn’t go into — law and show business. It was probably the only time he ever listened to me. AND in the fall, he starts a postdoc at Hopkins and will be living down in Mount Vernon.

So, I will have reason to visit him (and FS folks) from time-to-time. (Is the “Morgue” still open?)” Doug Balder got married in 2018 to Joan and they left New York City for Dartmouth, Mass. (Southcoast).

Doug shares, “We renovated a rural fire station and moved in. I am working for OpenPrimaries.org as a national organizer leading the defense campaign

to oppose state legislatures attempting to close their state primaries, mostly in the south. I am studying classical oil painting with Bill Kendall, a retired teacher, which I have wanted to do since college. I come back to Baltimore occasionally to see my mother who is in independent living. Our dog, Ruby, is a fierce canine and demanding and requires constant work.” Beau McCaffray writes, “I hide from AI slop from the Cape Fear hurricane of N.C. (since ’87) with my sweet bride Sue. We’re both retired but I still coach lacrosse as the ball retriever for my head coach daughter, Mara and her son, Leo. Son Eddie just graduated from C.A.’s Berkeley law school where he lives with wife Meagan and their son, Francis. ’72ers are invited to stop in and free create with us upon the nearby remote barrier island, Hutaff or the O.C. of our childhood.” David Chang was voted #2 in the 2024 Ophthalmologist Power List, which ranks the 100 most influential leaders in ophthalmology worldwide (https://powerlist.theophthalmologist. com/). This makes it difficult for David to retire, and he is using this influence to promote sustainability in ophthalmology as the founder of Eyesustain.org – a coalition of 50 global eye societies working to mitigate the environmental impact and carbon footprint of eye care. Ophthalmology is the first medical specialty to form a global sustainability website and network. Tom LeGrand shares, “I am slowly approaching full retirement. I retired from the U de Montreal in 2019, where I taught Demography for 30 years and oversaw the research of roughly 45 graduate students and postdocs (many from West Africa). Since then, I’ve been gradually slowing down but am still working occasionally with the IUSSP, the world association of population scientists. This summer, we will take a long, postponed six-week trip to Europe, to see my wife Marie-Helene’s family and some of my old friends. The high point of our trip will be a week-long cruise up the Danube, from Budapest to Prague at the end of August. Our daughter Anna is definitely not following in my footsteps – she is in a very intensive six-month bootcamp to become a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer. We hope that she will be able to get posted afterwards near us in

Montreal…” Pamela Quarles writes, “I am retiring at the end of June 2024. Closing a psychiatric practice after 41 years still feels a bit daunting and I fear I will be at loose ends for a while. I’m grateful that my grandkids, who thankfully live close by, seem ready to spend more time with grandma!”

Anna Gentzel (aka Judy Ball) wrote a poem for the class, a slice of her life: She steps lightly, Feeling the tickle of damp grass.

Birds chirp with anticipation.

Earth’s breath whispers.

Trees awake.

Branches dance and shake.

Mountains call to ancestors who wait.

Drum in hand, she prays.

Then, softly, comes the resonance Of the shaman’s rhythmical beat, As her voice, in song, Clearly welcomes This brand new day.

Poem by Anna Gentzel 06/20/24 Karen Hewitt Scarlett is still officiating field hockey, girl’s lacrosse and swimming.

She and her husband Bob had a trip to Colorado in April as he is on the board of the National Ski Patrol and had a meeting in Vail. The two of them visited Rocky Mountain National Park as well as Vail, Colorado Springs and Glenwood’s hot springs. This summer they are enjoying going to the Magothy River when they are free and boating. Geoff Feiss retired in 2023. He writes, “Lovin’ it; shoulda done this before! Three and a half grandchildren (one’s in the oven).

Spending summers at my fishing cabin on a bucolic trout stream (aren’t they all?) in Western Montana. Rest of the year in Helena, Mont., or Tiger Ga., where the grandchildren reside. Still playing tennis (not pickleball, thank you); riding mountain bikes and of course, fishing!”

Ken Kolodner on the other hand shares, “I can’t imagine ever retiring! I am not sure what that would mean for me. I continue performing and running events with my son Brad (and others). Brad and I were thrilled to produce (and perform at) The Baltimore Old Time Music Festival which brought in 1500+ people to The Baltimore Museum of Industry. Music continues to take me to interesting places: most

recently, performing at a festival in England, a festival in Wales with Brad, a festival in Tennessee, and to The Library of Congress for an epic square dance in the atrium. My wife (Alison) recently retired from her career as a hospital administrator and president. We are fortunate to have both of our kids living in Baltimore. Our daughter Hillary is an assistant principal in Baltimore. I am still running around on the soccer field, mostly with much younger folks. But I have the most fun playing on a 60+ team.

We traveled to Florida for a national tournament and came home victorious among the 16 teams from around the U.S. There is even a 70+ team that I will play on next January. Hard to believe we are THAT old?!” Lola Schoenrich writes, “I’m still living in Minneapolis and have been working at a nonprofit organization doing my best to make a contribution to addressing the climate crisis. I stepped down from my role as the Vice President of community level work in the fall of 2024 and am now a senior fellow. Now that we know how to use Zoom, my husband and I are able to spend part of the winter in the Fort Lauderdale area.

We have seven grandkids with the oldest three in college! I’d love to connect with anyone else in either Minn. or Fla.” Kim Meyers McCauley is still employed and (mostly) enjoying her work in women’s health with the University of Maryland/St. Joseph’s Medical Center. She writes, “It gives me a sense of purpose and accomplishment and encourages me to value my time. I do make periodic trips to visit my stepmother in Vienna, Austria. My stepmother, Lucille Langlois, was formerly with the U.N. in Vienna, specifically with the IAEA, and along with all the members of that organization, won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2005. For amusement, I work at the Md. Renaissance Festival every fall, sewing glorious Renaissance garb for sale. If you’re in Maryland in the fall the RennFaire is more than worth a trip. I also have an obsession: knitting! I love to make lace shawls.” Robb Jones is pleasantly engaged in continuing to transform the pastoral landscape as well as attempting to work in harmony with the natural landscape of the acres he has lived on in North Bridgton, Maine for 38 years. He is currently excavating, building stone walls, stairs, and terraces in

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classnotes ⊲ preparation for building a smaller home overlooking his gardens, orchard and pond. His current aspirations include achieving the world record for the number of specialized outbuildings, continuing to refine the cultivation of lotuses, and learning to speak bluebird and frog languages. Oh, and learning how to split a granite boulder, beyond huge, which of course is right in the path of his foundation wall and is a bizarrely perfect replica of Mt. Washington. He wishes his best to all. Lynn Woodland shares, “As the author of two books about miracles, my life-long career and fascination with making the impossible possible has led me to a still little-known breakthrough in technology that has been developing quietly, mostly out of sight and is soon to release a first product.

A compact, sustainable, algorithm-less form of artificial general intelligence so different from AI as we currently know it that world experts don’t think it’s a possibility for many decades, if ever.

What’s more, it has the potential to undercut many of the current and future horrors of AI. It’s a technology capable of holding true intelligence, able to understand language and learn, the kind of intelligence about which Bill Gates once said, “If you invent a breakthrough in artificial intelligence, so that machines can learn, that is worth 10 Microsofts.”

Google CEO Sundar Pichai made the comment that this kind of AI “is poised to be more profound than the invention of electricity, the internet, and even fire,” though he didn’t see it coming any time soon. As my last book, The Breakthrough Point, drew parallels between the evolution of technology and the evolution of the human psyche, this project, I believe, is going to not only create profoundly disruptive change, but ultimately make the world a significantly better place. Consequently, supporting this “impossible” technology has become a passionate interest in recent years. I’ve been helping with writing, hosting Zoom presentations with creator Bryant Cruse, and whatever else my low-tech skills can offer. There’s a short film about it on YouTube if you’re interested: www. youtube.com/watch?v=QUpnSMUzsr4 and you’re welcome to message me with any thoughts or questions that might inspire lynn@lynnwoodland.com. Almost

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forgot, here’s the other stuff: my husband and I moved from Minneapolis to Ocala, Florida three years ago and love it (but miss Lola!). Then I got a nasty case of cancer, got better, adopted multiple cats, feel very happy and am loving life! I doubt that I’ll ever retire!” Krissy Lasagna writes, “My husband, Dom, and I are well. He has finally retired from coaching lacrosse, having coached a high school team for three years, after coaching pro lacrosse for two years, after coaching college lax for a whole bunch of years. I never went back to nursing after we left Providence back in the last century, so I guess I can’t officially retire. But if my life looks like a duck, and sounds like a duck, I think I’m retired. I keep busy with that UCC church I helped start 30 some years ago in Charlottesville, and with Innisfree Village, the gift from the universe where my twins, and my brother, Christopher live. The other two kids are in upstate N.Y., doing good work. We see them when we come up to our place in the Adirondacks. Oh, I am also busy being the guardian and/or med power of atty for the Innisfree Three, and my 100-year-old mom.” Suzanne Grell Whitney is retired and spending time with family and four grandkids. She is sailing and working with volunteer groups like the Special Olympics, Chesapeake Regional Accessible Boating, and Sail Beyond Cancer. Suzanne is the commodore of her local sailing group and is planning to sail to the Bahamas this winter. She is still managing to ski the slopes in Colorado. Suzanne is involved with two gardening groups and as she puts it, “learning that I’ve probably planted everything in the wrong place for most of my life.” My wife De and I (Tom Humphries) are enjoying the Pacific Northwest and especially the summers!

De has officially shut down her Interior Design business and has now focused her creative talents on remodeling our house and working endlessly on the yard and in the greenhouse. I feel like I am living Groundhog Day since all seven days a week are much the same: get up early, meditate, work for a few hours, walk our two dogs on the miles of trails through the woods or on the beach (both are just out the front door), do some yard or house projects, do some yoga, eat dinner, watch some news, read and go to bed. My additional activities are

volunteering at the Teen Center at the local High School three days a week, organizing (not teaching) our yoga class once a week, and in the spirit of doing something new, practicing Qigong.

Maggy Young encouraged me to try it after my yoga talk at the last reunion. I do it once a week with a wonderful instructor and a good group of people from our community. Qigong bridges meditation to yoga perfectly. The other new thing I am doing is watching Premier League Football, exclusively Arsenal. My older son, who lives in Kansas City, is a rabid Arsenal fan and it is fun to talk about their games, especially since they are playing very well. On my bucket list is retiring before the end of the year. On De’s bucket list is a river cruise from Budapest to Regensburg on the Danube River, we are going next year.

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Donald Hubbard donhubbard@msn.com Sarah O’Loughlin soloughlin00@gmail.com

Greetings from the Garden State of New Jersey. I’m knocking on wood as I write that the Class of ’73 has seen only good news of late. I (Don Hubbard) have (finally!) become a grandfather as my oldest son Will and his wife Sofia have welcomed Alexandra Rose into their family.

I have also spent some time traveling, going to Spain and Portugal this past summer, and avoiding winters in Cabarete, D.R. Meanwhile, Margo Halle writes: “I Have been happily spending time with Jan Goldsmith Braun working at her very successful consignment shop, ReDeux Apparel. While in Massachusetts babysitting our two- and half-year-old grandson, I was recently able to spend time with Sally Schulz O’Loughlin, taking a hike in the gorgeous woods in Pembroke, Mass. Hope everyone is well!” David Plott checked in with, “I am traveling in the West for a month following rowing a 24-day raft trip through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River with my wonderful partner Jackie Chandler, daughter Cara Plott and several friends. After the Canyon trip, I headed west in our adventure van “The Beast.” Classmate Jim Schwabe hosted a fantastic wine tasting for us at his Baccarossa winery in Los Gatos, Calif.” Jim Schwabe added: “In May, classmate David Plott stopped by on his around the U.S.A.

Jim Schwabe ’73 and David Plott ’73 tour in his very cool camper van. We had a great time catching up, tasting some wine, and talking about everything under the sun. Picture attached of us in downtown Los Gatos, Calif. Also, my daughter is moving in June to Seattle to start a master’s program in environmental public policy at the University of Washington.”

Lisa Shuger Hublitz finally took the plunge and moved to California. Taking her golden retriever, Rocky, she packed her bags and drove across the country to be near her two grown sons. She is splitting her time between Palm Desert and Playa del Rey, which puts her closer to her new job where she is the Senior Director for Public Policy and Government Relations and will lead the nonprofit’s California state and local advocacy efforts.

Lisa welcomes classmates who are in the area or have plans to visit to stop by. Be careful what you wish for Lisa, I have a lot of free time on my hands…

Jack Robbins writes: “When we met last spring, several of you expressed interest in my career in the arts. I’m pleased to say I quit my day job in January and am a full-time artist again. I had a new exhibit opening June 15 at Manor Mill Gallery in Monkton. If you wish to preview my work, it’s on Instagram @jrobbart.”

Audrey Dannenberg chaired a national Professional Personnel Recruitment Committee for her profession which developed the video “Visual Impairment Professions.” It appears in the PBS series “Spotlight On,” and a viewership of three million people is expected over the next year. Audrey appears briefly in the video. Holly Catzen Bricken: “I’m still in lovely Baltimore County, still foxhunting (in season), a vegetarian for close to 50 years, my only son is single, living at (my) home and working in Columbia. I’m going to Portugal (solo) in July and a riding safari in Kenya next spring so maybe after those I’ll have something to say!” Robin Felder is

still farming and distilling at Monte Piccolo Farm and Distillery. This year he indicated that he can anticipate a bumper crop of Burford pears, Indian Blood peaches, and cider apples. When all that important work is done, he also spends a little time at UVA managing a research group solving high blood pressure and playing in his medical robotics engineering lab. By the time this is published he will have been at UVA for 40 years. Congrats, Robin!

Andy Cooper writes that his daughter Ella Cooper (FS Class of 2012), was engaged to Paul Adkins in July 2023, with the wedding in September 2024. What’s more, Jake and Marissa Cooper are expecting in December. Mazel tov Andy! And finally, a couple of quick notes: David Jones writes that he and spouse Ruth have moved to Warwick, Rhode Island to be closer to family and enjoy the waterfront; and Jon Hustis notes, “We split home life, with grandkids on a farm in rural, southwest Ontario and home in Dallas. Guin the dog travels with us. It’s a big contrast, and an interesting life.” Thanks to all who contributed, and here’s wishing all of you good health and spirits until next time.

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Sarah Slingluff sallykslingluff123@gmail.com

Our 50th reunion was a roaring success.

Twenty seven of us managed to make it to one or more events and we successfully raised $100,000 for Friends School. On Thursday, Chuck Mitchell put together a golf outing, which was enjoyed by all participants. Friday saw many of us celebrating classmates, Gay Ossman Rudow, David Lentz, and Chris Price being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Afterwards we headed to Ellie and David Blumberg’s for dinner and fun times.

David Hughes, Eric Kniffin, and Tony Greif entertained us with wonderful music, which prompted singing and laughter. On Saturday we gathered for dinner in the Zamoiski Alumni Center and had a surprise visit from former classmate Cindy Taseff Heath. The post dinner party, hosted by Lynnette Young, was held at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. The views were beautiful and the company even better.

Another former classmate, Kibibi Ajanku, paid us a surprise visit. A huge thank you to the reunion planning committee, David Blumberg, David Hughes, Cam MacLachlan, Chuck Mitchell, and

Lynnette Young, for all of their hard work.

Another thank you to David and Lynnette for hosting us. David Lentz thanks his classmates that submitted letters supporting his successful nomination to the Friends School Athletic Hall of Fame.

David also enjoyed seeing his classmates again at the 50th reunion. Anne Bryan Griffiths is setting up monthly Zoom reunions for the class, which will be held on Sunday evenings. She invites everyone to attend. In case you don’t know, there is a Facebook page for the class, Friends School of Baltimore Class of 1974. At our class Meeting for Worship we shared remembrances of the six classmates we have lost, as well as the profound influence that Friends School and its principles of non-violence and a singular way of worship have meant in our lives.

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Keith Tabatznik kdtsoc@aol.com

Debbie Brown traveled on a two-week trip to Prague, Budapest, and Vienna with husband, David, and daughter, Emily. It was “fascinating and beautiful!” If you were lucky enough to follow Debbie’s trip on Facebook, then you would have seen how incredible a trip they went on! Keith Tabatznik continues to work as a Talent ID Scout for U.S. Soccer as well teaching the future coaches of the game. His summer College ID camp (Elite 300 Soccer Academy) is entering its 25th summer this year – the longest running camp of its type in the country! He is a frequent guest on podcasts as well! Remember how shy he used to be! MaryAnne Bues Bartlett shares the following news with us: “My break from a busy summer at Ancient Light has been the Glastonbury Greenwood Faire in Toledo, Oregon at the

Keith Tabatznik ’76 recording for a podcast FRIENDSBALT.ORG | FRIENDS SCHOOL

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From left: Debbie Brown ’76 with husband Jim and daughter Emily overlook Prague; Debbie Brown ’76, Jean Alexander Barnett ’76 and Lisa Chang ’76 were able to catch up via Zoom while Debbie was visiting Jean in Bellingham; MaryAnn Bues Bartlett ’76; MaryAnne Bues Bartlett’s Medieval/Renaissance embroideries end of June. The local group of historical recreationists sets up a display and I have my Medieval/Renaissance embroideries and toys there. We were also hoping to demonstrate cheese-making techniques this year, but we’re not sure that’s going to work.” Lisa Corrine Davis has some news for us as she (and her daughter) continues to do so well: “My daughter passed the NYC Bar and was sworn in as a lawyer. She works for Wilke Farr & Gallagher in NYC. I have a solo show opening at Weber Fine Art in Greenwich, Conn. The show runs from June 6th to July 20th. My work will be exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum, “The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition,” October 4th through January 26th. I continue to teach and Co-Direct the M.F.A. program at Hunter College, but not for much longer...” This is fun news from Steve Stuart!! “It was great to see many fellow Quakers at the 3rd Annual Johns Hopkins Nursing and Baltimore Area First Responders Benefit Concert featuring the Hank Entwisle Band at The

Meyerhoff. Attendees included Randy Cooper, Perry Reifler, and Clay Doughty among others. And for this concert Hank had The Morgan State University Choir as the guest vocalists — simply incredible.”

And Gale Connor shares the following with us: “While most of our classmates are celebrating their grandchildren, my daughter Li Na just graduated from high school. In the fall she will be off to study chemistry and physics at Cal Poly SLO. I’m not sure where the chemistry thing came from, certainly not me. I only passed 11th grade chemistry thanks to my much smarter lab partner.” Carolyn Alkire is working with NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Protected Resources on Endangered Species Act compliance issues related to marine mammals and sea turtles. She’s still living in Carlsbad, California, and enjoys free time gardening, at the beach, and volunteering at a local hospice. She’s so proud her daughter, Keli, graduated in June from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Natural Resources (and has a job)!

From left: Carolyn Alkire ’76 and her daughter Keli taken at Sahalie Falls, Ore.; Paul Friedberg ’77 with Sara Buechner ’76

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Bob Lenhard rlenhard@comcast.net

Paul Friedberg reports from Boston that he had a great reunion with Sara Buechner ’76 after her performance of Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra in May. Paul, his brother John and his mother enjoyed a great performance and caught up with Sara after. He notes that Ed Lyon and Curt Williams both now live close to him, so the Boston branch of the Class of ’77 is growing. While technically a class of ’76 graduate, Sara’s presence as part of our experience at Friends leads me to brag on her briefly, noting just that the New York Times lauded her for “intelligence, integrity and all-encompassing technical prowess,” the Washington Post for her “thoughtful artistry in the full service of music” and the SF Chronicle as “a formidable soloist, bringing depth, eloquence, and gleeful technical assurance.” Tom Conway reports that after practicing law in Washington, D.C. and surrounding counties for more than a decade, followed by more than two decades in private wealth management with a concentration in retirement and estate planning, he and his wife, D. Elizabeth Walker, also an attorney, have retired to Amelia Island, Fla. Tom remains in excellent physical condition thanks to Tom La Monica’s motivational regimens, focusing on Pilates, yoga and a new interest in healthy aging. They have a daughter, Kathryn (Kat), who was married recently in Ireland, and who lives in McLean, Va. and a son, Matthew (Matt), who resides in Denver, Colo. Lisa Halle Hunt reports from Northern California that she survived another wet and wild winter, which gave way to some beautiful wildflowers. She and her husband, John, have been

From left: Class of 1979’s, Caryl Connor, John Friedberg and Mike Stern after receiving awards during Alumni Weekend; Julie Bledsoe ’79 and family; Arnie Kolodner, Jenny Freeman, John Friedberg, Natalie Standiford, Bora Sila and Beth Zadek (all Class of 1979)

enjoying traveling in their sprinter van and finding new places to ride their gravel bikes. At the end of this month, they head to Bend, Ore. for a five-day gravel race. Jeff Romero reports that he has retired. “I stayed in school till I was 36 — always working toward another degree and skipping out when in danger of graduation.” He notes that “after nearly 30 years as a companion animal veterinarian, owning a practice with my veterinarian wife, and working for years as a relief veterinarian, I bought my retirement puppy to go along with my two adult standard poodles, and find myself playing pickleball, collecting vinyl, learning the bass guitar, and kayaking. I like retirement. A lot more than work.”

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Barbara Shulman-Kirwin Bsk@bskdesign.net

Hello Class of 1979! It has been fun receiving news from some of this fabulous class. We just had our 45th reunion and a small group came to connect, and our 50th is just around the corner. I am hoping that lots of us will be attending the 50th!! Three classmates were bestowed honors at the 45th reunion, Mike Stern, Caryl Connor and John Friedberg! Congratulations to all three of you! Nancy Marchetti wrote, “I retired a few years ago from the U.S. Department of Labor and love having time to finally be able to check off some of the items on my “Bucket List,” such as: spending the summers at Dewey/Rehoboth Beach where I often run into Carol Stude Knapp and Mary Stude ’80 and am often reminded “What happens at the beach, stays at the beach;” glamping in the Sahara Desert on a camel trek through the sand dunes; spending time with my two nephews Mason ’20 and Julian ’21 (yes, Bobby Marchetti’s ’81 kids); running

with (or should I say from) the bulls in Pamplona, Spain; volunteering at my favorite charities (Almost Home Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, Alexandria, Va. Historic Society, Alexandria, Va. Police Dept., Honor Flight Organization); and visiting with friends while day drinking. I cannot wait to be back on campus and see my classmates!” Melissa Hulse shares, “I’m doing well and enjoying retirement and volunteering at a local hospital. My kids have scattered. My son is in Chicago working for a software company and became a dad on Thanksgiving Day 2023.

I love being a grandmom and seeing my grandson, Everett, any chance I can get. My daughter lives in Nashville and is a tour manager for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. I am living vicariously through her and love learning about the other side of music. Tom and I have been able to travel quite a bit in the last year or so including Spain, Japan and Antarctica. I did a polar plunge in Antarctica and don’t think I need to do that again. One and done! I hope everyone is well, and I look forward to catching up in five years at

the 50th reunion.” Sally MacLea Spence writes, “I still live in the Twin Cities of Minnesota – who knew I’d be here this long! I am married to an alum of Friends School, Ken Spence ’73, and we have two boys who both live in Denver. I continue to work in higher education in a Global Studies Office, and I love to bike, play golf and garden. Look forward to seeing my classmates at our 50th!” Anne Hockett shares, “I’m still happily married to Steve who has left the corporate world and just finished his first of a trilogy around climate science fiction! Our daughters are each healthy and happy! Both headed back for master’s degrees in clinical social work and teaching. So, they will be part of the solution this country needs!

I’ve trimmed back my work to focus more on the trauma-informed space and helping young folks skill up and feel so, so much better. Love it! I’m in a full co-dependent relationship with my blue green kayak! Hiking and biking as much as I can and just learning how to slow down a bit more! Sending love and health to you each!” Jennifer Freeman

From left: Class of 1979: Ann Ramsey, Anne Hocket, Barbara Shulman-Kirwin, Anne Lenhard Sayles; Barbara Shulman-Kirwin ’79, Ogden Gigli, Anne Hockett ’79 and Steve Stine FRIENDSBALT.ORG | FRIENDS SCHOOL

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From left: Scott Sacks ’84, Scott’s cousin Bruce Shapiro, Chief Judge George Russell ’84, Eric Orlinsky ’84 and Stephen Schulhoff ’84 at the George’s investiture as chief judge for the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. George is the first African-American chief judge in the court’s history. Ellyn Weisfeldt Margulies ’84 with her Lower School scarlet and gray uniform jumper at the 40th reunion party.; John Johnson ’87 and his fiancée; Ken Ries ’87 and his family writes, “I made a pandemic escape from New York City to Windsor, Vermont, and am loving life on land that used to be a professional perennial garden. Our two boys are both in San Francisco right now.

I work on the legal & regulatory team at Environmental Defense Fund, where many projects focus on the transition to clean energy. Last year I created the website CommunityVoicesinEnergy.org — please take a look!” Stephen Pocock is becoming bionic it appears: “Having my third joint replacement. This time my right shoulder. My kids are adulting. I’m trying not to. My father passed away at 99 and the accolades keep pouring in. Humbling.” Julie Bledsoe shares, “I am still a pediatrician at the University of Washington and still love my job!

The majority of the kids I take care of are adopted either from foster care or internationally. Our adoption journey has also brought us to Sean’s birth family 13 years ago and I have enclosed our family photo from Christmas when the brothers were all together. My husband, Brian, is Chief of Pediatrics at the Seattle County Hospital, Harborview, and also still loves his job. We love hiking locally and have taken several amazing hikes overseas.” As for me, Barbara Shulman-Kirwin, life is full and wonderful. Paul and I divorced a bit ago, and after being on the dating apps for a year, (what a journey that was at age 60!), I met a wonderful man, Ogden, who coincidentally went to Friends Seminary in Manhattan for the 15-year plan, just like a few of us did! We have been dating for almost two years and life is a big adventure! He lives in the Berkshires and is a professional photographer and we are starting to co-create art pieces together. My three children are thriving. I just closed my art gallery after 20 years,

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and I now create in my home studio in Guilford, Conn. I have been lucky enough to see Anne Hockett, Ann Ramsey, Anne Lenhard Sayles, and Beth Zadek on a regular basis. Hugs to everyone!

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Dahira Lievano-Binford baltimorebinfordbunch@gmail.com

The Class of 1981 stays in touch via Facebook. To join the fun, please email Dahira for instructions.

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Staige Hodges sdhpdx@gmail.com

Our 40th Reunion was full of laughter, fun and reminiscing about antics that are so old we probably don’t care to know how long ago they were. But there were lots of antics way back, and they never cease to amuse us. Notably at Reunion, our classmates celebrated Stacey Brown as she received the Friends School Distinguished Alumni Award. Stacey currently serves as the principal advisor on management and budget issues to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Stacey is responsible for all matters related to the development and implementation of the Civil Works budget and the reimbursable international and inter-agency support activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

She has held several leadership roles throughout her time with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has served at Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and worked closely with senior Administration officials and Congressional leaders.

Throughout her tenure, Stacey has been honored with several awards including the 2017 National Women of Color STEM Career Achievement in Government Award, the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal, Army Engineer Association in

2011, and the Superior Civilian Service Award, Department of the Army four times (most recently in 2017). Stacey, we are so very proud of you! Thanks to David Dahbura and his husband, Douglas, for hosting what looked to be a lively time at their home. I do wish I could have been there! In attendance were Stacey Brown, Kathy MacPhail Cheek, Martha Craig, Amy Iwata Darrow, Jennifer Galambos, Paul Graves, Greg Houston, Edward Kane, Lindsay Leimbach, Jon Meyers, Rebecca Randall, Scott Sacks, Lynn Smith and Ellyn Weisfeldt Margulies.

And Ellyn even brought her Lower School scarlet and gray uniform! While I was unfortunately unable to attend our reunion, I did manage to see a lot of classmates in February in Baltimore. A good-size group gathered at the Mount Washington Tavern for dinner. There were some screeches, admittedly, when Edward Kane walked in as a wonderful surprise from D.C. I so enjoyed seeing him, Martha Craig, Amy Iwata Darrow, Greg Houston, Kian Djawdan, Eric Orlinsky, Rebecca Randall, Devlin Back Uy, David Dahbura, Kathy MacPhail Cheek and Bobby Spencer-Strong who even flew up from North Carolina! We were joined

by Randy Cooper, and tales of basketball championships and To Kill a Mockingbird were plenty. Wade Wilson and I managed to squeeze in a late evening at WC Harlan and I got a real glimpse (albeit dark) into old Charm City. Some other (amazing!) news I received from Eric Orlinsky. In May, he, Scott Sacks, Stephen Schulhoff and Lisa Kashima-Poling attended George Levi Russell III’s investiture as the Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. George joined the court in 2012 after a nomination from Barack Obama. George follows in the

From left: Mindy Krause Athas ’87 and her daughter; Astrid Nielsen Weismann ’87 and her family; Laura Spivak Ryan ’88 and her daughter, Sophie, ready for Taylor Swift in Seattle, Wash.; Taj Johnson ’88 & Rob Berman ’88 at 2024 Commencement

footsteps of his father, George Russell, Jr., who was the first African American to sit on the Circuit Court in Maryland..

Sharon Buckson Stewart ’85

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Sharon Stewart sassyaka415@gmail.com

Hello classmates. I hope you are all well.

I am excited that my oldest son, Darryl, Jr., 28, is moving to Houston, Texas. He bought a house and is transitioning his counseling practice there. My youngest, Daniel, 23, is loving living in Boston. I (Sharon Buckson Stewart) am living in Georgia with my sister, Susan (some of you may remember her), and I am active as a member of the church where she serves as Senior Pastor. I am enjoying traveling and still working on completing my Ph.D.s.

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Shelley Stein shelley.stein@gmail.com

Mindy Krause Athas is working at Ascension Saint Agnes teaching diabetes classes, and doing nutritional counseling. Her middle child graduated from high school. Hallelujah! She will be attending Towson University in the

fall. Would love to plan a reunion get together. Who is interested? Astrid Nielsen Weismann and her family recently traveled on a two week trip to Japan! Her boys are 19, 17 and 13. Ken Ries and his wife Pam celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary on 6/10/24. To celebrate, they traveled to Ireland and England with their daughter, Emma, and her fiancé, James and had a fabulous time. Ken definitely recommends Ireland to anyone looking for a truly beautiful vacation experience. John Johnson got engaged on April 18th and is excited for his wedding in 2025. Ellie Goldbloom Sklar’s daughter Gabby just graduated from University of Maryland and will be pursuing a nursing degree from NYU. Her son Brandon is a junior in the Smith School of Business at Univ. of Maryland.

She’s had a nice time getting together with fellow ’87 classmates a few times and hopes to get together again soon.

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P. Angelo T. Valle gelovalle@gmail.com

Commencement for the Class of 2024 was a highlight for a bunch of our classmates. Rob Berman delivered the keynote address and Class of ’24 parents Jason Rosenberg and Burck Smith were there along with Carrie Suhr Leovy, Elizabeth Holder, Karen Silex Fireman, Lucien Walsh, Taj Johnson, Elisa Shorr Frost, and Dasha Snyder cheering. Co-founder of The Quaketones, Rob wrote, “It was such an honor to be asked to speak at commencement and it was so great that a few ’88-ers attended.”

As one would have expected, Rob did a fantastic job. You can watch the recording of his speech as part of the Class of 2024 Graduation Exercises on the Friends School of Baltimore page on Facebook.

Laura Spivak Ryan is still working as an emergency medicine physician and living in Portland, Ore., “which has had some challenges but remains a beautiful city.” Her child Sophie is 16 years old, a new tenth grader and currently working on getting her driver’s license. They adopted a new puppy, Winnie, from the Oregon Humane Society, where Sophie volunteers. “Last summer we went to Seattle for the Taylor Swift concert which was an amazing experience. The Pacific Northwest is absolutely gorgeous. If anyone is ever in the area be sure to let me know.” Christianne Myers and her family are still in Ann Arbor, Mich. “I continue to love my job as a faculty member in the Department of Theatre & Drama (Go Blue!). Our daughter Rowan is now a senior in high school, so the great college search is happening.

Lastly, a shout out to please support the performing arts! Many organizations are still struggling to bring audiences in postCOVID-19.”

Class of ’88 members Carrie Suhr Leovy, Karen Silex Fireman, Taj Johnson, Elisa Shorr Frost and Rob Berman at 2024 Commencement FRIENDSBALT.ORG | FRIENDS SCHOOL

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From left: Alexis Alexander Epperly, Nancy Silex Ernst, Stephanie Hesson Monaghan, Maria Klein, Morgan Gabler, Francesca Byrd Reed (all ’90); Read Carter ’90 with his daughter Keely Carter ’24 at graduation; Class of 1990: Shannon Lattik Koinzan, Natalie Santos Ferguson and Kippy Joseph

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Meghan P. Cochran meghan@stern.net

Amy Partridge-Barber and her husband have officially launched both of their kids: “A few weeks ago we moved our youngest into his new home in Burlington, Vt. I have since been hit by memory after memory of my life as a parent. I am not sure I am old enough to have a 22 year old and a 25 year old, but since the evidence seems to suggest that this is actually the case, I had better get on with living my life. So, back I go to painting, running, and talking to dogs as if they were people. I have been a Clinical Social Worker in Maine since college.

The people I see are primarily teenagers and adults coming out of abusive environments/relationships. My job is to help them access enough safety, stability and connection to go from surviving to living. I am thankful to have found work which comes naturally to me. I am sad that I will always, always have customers.”

David Saunders is still active duty military, having served since 2021 as a professor at Uniformed Services University, the military medical school, where they are currently conducting a clinical trial for patients with long-haul COVID-19, focused on autonomic dysfunction.

Meghan Stern Cochran is starting a new role in government as a senior advisor in the U.S. Digital Service after a blissful eighteen-month work hiatus spent studying theology, interviewing authors for the New Books Network, gardening, and spending a lot of time with family.

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Natalie Ferguson natalie.s.ferguson@gmail.com

The Class of 1990 is busy! We’re really feeling the term “sandwich generation” — spending as much time with our parents if we’re lucky enough to have them around,

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taking care of our kids many of whom are still under our roof and diligently working in careers we’ve taken years to build. That said, my call for news was met with some silence but over time the Class of 1990 came through like we always do. It’s truly hard to believe that next year will be our 35th reunion. It feels like yesterday and forever ago all at once. Until we all meet in May 2025, here are some updates from our peers: Firmin DeBrabander writes, “My oldest son, Rene, graduated from Hopkins last year and works for a biomedical startup; my second son Malek is going to be a Senior at Penn studying economics; my daughter Mairead is entering sophomore year at George Washington University studying Music; and my youngest Hugh is a senior at Dulaney looking at colleges for next year.

My nest is getting empty!” Wow Firmin (and Yara) — well done, looks like all your kids are well on their way to amazing futures. And speaking of amazing futures, Read Carter had a full circle moment with his daughter Keely Carter ’24 and writes: “I’m pleased to report that my daughter, Keely, has graduated from Friends this year and is off to Elon College. The graduation ceremony and events at Friends were surreal, in ways. She is truly a well-rounded young woman and, after questioning her enrollment at Friends over COVID-19, thrived at the school and ended up loving it. They truly bonded as a class. She had parties at our house over these last few years and the “vibe” when it was all Friends kids was just more fun compared to some other group of kids that would come over. Friends kids seem to enjoy one another. They’re respectful, intelligent, inquisitive and worldly. Marci and I are elated with our decision to send her (and Lailah Carter ’27) there.

I blubbered like a baby at graduation mostly for her accomplishments and

experience at Friends but also for reminiscing back on our own time and what it meant for me. There was a meeting with just parents and the seniors and for the first time, I stood up to share. I hope we can have a meeting for worship when we convene (finally) next spring. I can’t wait to see everyone.

Quakers Rule!” Congratulations to the Carter Family and best of luck at Elon, Keely! Davy “Slug” Lauterbach checked in with an awesome update. Davy lives between Los Angeles, California, and Los Pueblos de Guapo, New Mexico. He listens to Tyler Buck’s ‘Good Stuff’ every Friday and just adopted a beautiful little piglet he named Katie, who lives on his lavender farm. Davy, we’ll be visiting soon! Sounds like a lovely set-up! Davy’s piglet Katie is named in honor of Katie Harris Malarney, little sister of Shannon Lattik Koinzan. She attended Friends for many years and ultimately graduated from St. Paul’s School for Girls. I’m incredibly sad to report that Katie passed away in November 2023 after a brave but brief battle with ovarian cancer. Shannon has remained stoic and strong through her pain and sees beautiful reminders of her sister Katie as she moves through her daily life. We hold Katie in the Light and Shannon, Sharon and David, the Class of 1990 is here for you, friends. Shannon was able to celebrate Katie as well as her 50th with Natalie Santos Ferguson and Kippy Joseph in March 2024. The girls celebrated by seeing Madonna together in Denver just like they did in 1990. Good times were had and we know Katie was with us in spirit. Shannon, Kippy and Natalie are happy to report they are moving just a smidge easier than 65 year old Madonna. Jaime Lee Spencer has settled into empty nester life. Her youngest Kate, graduated from Elon in Spring 2024 and is an au pair in Milan for

the summer. Future plans are TBD (mine would be too if I were in Milan for the summer — sounds delightful). Her older daughter Emma is working in Georgetown for Tuckernuck. Eric and Jaime are on the move, lol, and are looking for their next exotic locale to visit. AJ Pecora writes, “My corner of the world has seen my twin boys now join the professional world after both graduating from Towson University. My son Wesley is also playing drums for my band, Skeleton Kings of Red, and I am the lead vocalist. We just released our first album on all platforms and play at various locations in Baltimore, including Power Plant Live. A lot of the songs on our album were written by classmate Holter Ford Graham back in our high school days, we still perform them today. Hope to see everyone at the reunion! Rock on!” If you’re in Baltimore and would like to go and see AJ and his son Wesley jam, hit me (Natalie) up. AJ has kindly invited me and I intend on catching a show one of these days soon.

Tyler Buck, our resident DJ writes “I am livin’ the dream in Havre de Grace and hosting The Morning Show weekday mornings from seven to nine and The Good Stuff Friday afternoons from four till six. Both can be heard on 91.1 WHFC or streamed at whfc911.org. Give it a listen and help keep independent college radio ‘alive and kicking’ ... that’s a Simple Minds reference.” We get the reference, Ty — totally in our 80’s wheelhouse. Tyler’s show is so good — definitely give him a listen. Ty’s music selection is on point and between his voice and his song choices, I’m typically transported back to simpler times when I listen. Alexis Alexander Epperly writes: “Last September I had the pleasure of a girl’s weekend with Maria, Stephanie, Nancy, Morgan, Nicky, and Francesca in New Orleans. It was a lovely time to catch-up and enjoy retelling some great memories, while putting our teen years in perspective as many of us are raising teens.” Sounds like such a good time, Alexis! All the women pictured look like they could still be in high school. Hard to believe most have high schoolers themselves! That’s it for the Class of 1990 for now. We hope to see many of you in May 2025! Until then, stay happy and healthy and have a great rest of your 2024.

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David Knowles knowlesdavid@gmail.com

Drew Curlett stopped teaching culinary school after 2021 and pursued a life as a private chef. He works for a family in Baltimore and tends bar a couple days a week for fun. During summers he’s a private chef for Camp Monastery at the Bohemian Grove in the Russian River Valley in California. He teaches some cooking classes in Baltimore and loves living on the square in Fells Point. Dabney Neblett Bowen founded a wildlife conservation organization four years ago, Call of the Wild. The organization primarily rescues orphaned and injured wild mammals (mostly squirrels, opossums, and raccoons) but also offers conservation education programming and humane wildlife management services. All animals are released back into the wild once they are healthy and can survive on their own.

Dabney and her youngest daughter spend much of the summer traveling the east coast to compete in horse shows with their horses Cisco and Luna. Her older daughter took summer classes at Rhode Island School of Design and has art school aspirations when she graduates in 2026. Dabney and her husband Michael celebrate 20 years of marriage next year. Jonathan Raun is a board member and grant writer for the Glen Neighborhood Improvement Association. He wrote the grant that paid for the sidewalk mural by the Enoch Pratt Library on Reisterstown Road. Jamie Skeen walked the Camino Portugal in April. She and her son Levi will spend half the summer in Baltimore and half in Europe. Ilse Levin recently attended the annual American Medical Association meeting where she was re-elected to the Board of Trustees for another four years. She and her husband are still physicians with Kaiser in Southern Maryland. Her son is starting high school at Sandy Spring Friends next year and her daughter is starting kindergarten at a Montessori.

Ilse still talks with Sunee Claud, Sasha Klevytska, Claudia Marbaix Scheidle, and Lija Bentley Hogan throughout the week! Sarah Taylor is still practicing in Vienna, Virginia as a dermatologist. Her husband just retired from the army and

From top: Ezra Baylin, David Knowles, Arsh Mirmiran, and Seth Niman (all ’92) met up at an Orioles playoff game in October 2023; Dabney Neblett Bowen ’92, feeding a baby possum at the animal rescue she founded. will start a new job at NIH as an allergist/ immunologist. They live in Potomac, Md. with their kids, ages 16, 13 and 10.

They also have two rescue dogs, five Guinea pigs and three hermit crabs. Life is good, she says. On June 30th, Arsh Mirmiran had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at an Oriole game at Camden Yards. This was in recognition of his various development projects that have improved and helped to revitalize certain parts of Baltimore.

He threw a strike right over the plate! In 2023 I (David Knowles) returned to my old line of work with a trade association in D.C., representing the biotech seed industry. Fortunately, I get to work from home most of the time, as I have had enough of the commute. My wife Wendy and I still live in Severna Park with our daughters Kaitlyn, 15, and Emmy, 12.

Kaitlyn is a sophomore at Severna Park High School and is constantly busy with musical theater productions. Emmy is in 7th grade at Severna Park Middle School and is passionate about horseback riding and horse showing.

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From left: Elizabeth Leonard Clifton ’93 and Elise Pittenger Rocha ’93; Cindy Daignault’s ’96 son, August; Erica Quigley ’96 and Eric Demicco with twins Jonah and Rachel

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Caroline Huebner carolinemallonee@gmail.com

Elizabeth Leonard Clifton shares, “In addition to the multiple music/choral/ voice teaching jobs I do in Poughkeepsie and Millbrook, N.Y., I have spent the past seven years advocating for a dear friend who was incarcerated for killing her abusive partner in self-defense. I am happy to say that she was finally released in January 2024, but my work in the area of supporting criminalized survivors of intimate partner violence is not done. I would love to connect with others in the FS community who are doing this work! If you would like to learn more about what my life has been like since 2017, read the deeply moving memoir my friend’s sister wrote called “Dear Sister: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds” by Michelle Horton. I am the Elizabeth she describes! I have been so fortunate that my sister Rebecca Leonard McWilliams ’97 has been by my side throughout the fight for my friend’s freedom, and felt so called to the work that she is now the Executive Director of One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center in Birmingham. Can I add, as a final note, that I had a joyful reunion with Elise Pittenger Rocha when she was visiting NYC from her home in Brazil!”

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Beth Bodnar beth.bodnar1@gmail.com

Greetings Class of 1995! Sara Pfaff wrote that she is moving to Switzerland with her family. “After 15 years in north west Italy we are trading the Italian alps for the Swiss ones and will be located near the lakeside city of Locarno in southern Switzerland. My sons, Filippo, 11, and Federico, 8, are looking forward to new adventures and especially all the Swiss chocolate! My husband Francesco will continue his work as a winemaker and I

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will be teaching English.” Andrew Gohn wrote that he is feeling blessed to be living in Takoma Park with his amazing wife Naomi, daughter Dahlia, 5, and son Avi, 3. His children are excited for a summer of popsicles and pool time. He is enjoying his garden, workshop, and five chickens. He continues to work on clean energy policy, including building more wind and solar. Kia Harrison-Wyatt wrote that February will mark her 20year anniversary working as a nursemidwife. Her daughter graduated from high school this year and is attending Vanderbilt University this fall to study harp performance. Leila Khan sent her greetings from Cleveland. She wrote, “This is my fourteenth year living here with my husband and three children, ages 12, 10, and 8. I work as an endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic and am the medical director of our Calcium/Parathyroid Center. I enjoy treating individuals with both common and rare bone diseases.

I am also involved with teaching medical students and trainees.” Leila added a note about the effects of the Israel Palestine war in her life and her tremendous sadness. She wrote, “My greatest hope is that I will someday witness true peace in the Middle East during my lifetime, and the dismantling of all apartheid regimes in the world.” Hilary Baldwin Ruley has been Chief Solicitor in the Baltimore City Law Department for over 15 years. Her daughter, Hannah, is going to be a Junior at Friends next year. She’s loved her years in the Upper School, including her time as pitcher for Varsity Softball. As the Co-Chair of the Friends Alumni Board, please reach out to Hilary if you have any ideas for alumni get-togethers or something you want to see at our reunion in 2025. Her email is hbaldwi1@hotmail.com. As for me, Beth Bodnar, I am happy to be serving as the class secretary. I am currently working

as a Clinical Psychologist and living in Baltimore with my husband and two children. My oldest daughter graduated from Friends School in June and I was filled with gratitude to the school, particularly her teachers, for her journey. I am lucky to see many of our classmates on the Friends School campus during epic drop off and pick up lines, as well as school events. It’s frequently a mini reunion at back to school nights and concerts, which is very “small-timore.”

Thank you to all who wrote in, even if just to say hello, and I look forward to sharing everyone’s news.

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Jeannie Achuff dr.jeannieachuff@gmail.com

Well, the class of 1996 did not disappoint!

It was a pleasure to be in touch with Tabitha Lewis, who reported that she moved to Nashville in December 2022.

She was just ordained in the Episcopal Church on June 1st. Congratulations, Tabitha! It does not sound like she and Dan Muñoz have crossed paths yet, but she heard his name in casual conversation not too long ago (small world!), so I imagine it is just a matter of time. Do we have any other 1996 grads in Nashville? If so, pipe up! Tabitha reports she and family are doing well.

This summer, she plans to spend time with her family and pup, Zuri, walking the trails of Nashville, and will also see Lacey Levitt. Lacey wrote to share that she just published her second book, Animals as Crime Victims. Congratulations, Lacey, that is no small feat! Jessica Lichtenfeld is happily living in Washington, D.C. (in Capitol Hill), working for Numerator. She is still with her partner Kelly and their dog.

Jessica also continues to sing with The Washington Chorus and traveled to Argentina to perform at the Centro Cultural Kirchner in Buenos Aires. They will be performing with the Baltimore

classnotes ⊲ Symphony next June, so go see them at the Meyerhoff! And if you get to the Kennedy Center for one of Jessica’s choral concerts, let her know and she’ll meet you by the stage door. In other fun travel news, she and Kelly are heading to Japan in September for a long-awaited vacation — the passport is finally getting a workout this year, she notes. Jessica shares that she doesn’t have too much else to report, although mentions perfecting her challah braiding technique! Frankly, your life sounds pretty damn good, Jessica! Now, not to rank updates by any means, but the following news really excited me! Partly because this next classmate has been ever so quiet for years now, but also because of this amazing news she shares! Erica Quigley and her husband, Eric Demicco, welcomed their twins, Jonah and Rachel, in May 2023. She shares that “it’s been a complete joy exploring the world all over again through their eyes. Jonah’s nickname is “The Giggler” and Rachel hasn’t met an object she doesn’t want to climb.” I cannot imagine having twins at all, let alone any time after the age of 25. Way to go, Erica! Huge congratulations! Erica and Eric are settled in Jamaica Plain, Mass., where she has lived since college.

Eric is a software engineer specializing in tools for hospitals. Erica began her career in environmental education, “veered into designing nature-based playgrounds, and veered back into preschool education.” Erica cracked open the door to her inner landscape in reporting that “the last decade has been a slow-burn discovery of the value of institutions I had initially dismissed: religion, marriage, and raising kids.

Choosing Judaism felt like forging a new path, but it was also a reconnection to family heritage severed by the Holocaust.

I am blessed to be a full-time mom, and enjoy studying Hebrew and puttering in the garden. Looking forward to the 2026 reunion!” Erica, wow! I want to sit down and have a really big cup of coffee with you; there is so much to discuss! But again, what a joy to read about this turn in life and I am sure I am not alone when I say I am so happy for you and your family that you are able to be with your kids full-time right now. What a gift. In more baby news, Cindy Daignault added

another human to her family! August Hatleberg was born this past year. She reports that he’s the sweetest baby and they are over the moon. August is loved by all, especially his 3-year-old brother, River. These days, Cindy and her family are enjoying a quiet life in Baltimore, but this fall they’ll be living in LA for a few months, opening her latest commission at the MOCA. Wow! I am amazed that you are reporting your life as quiet, Cindy, as you have accomplished a lot!

Congratulations on your new addition and your commissioned artwork. Cindy would love to catch up with any west coast “Friendsies” on the trip — do hit her up! Speaking of the west coast, Anjana Prasad Jindal was spotted riding pillion on Alec Hawley’s cargo bike through San Francisco a few months back! I wonder how hard Anjana had to fight to make sure none of Alec’s dogs was sharing that seat with her… Anjana reports that she was in town for an ophthalmology conference, from which Alec scooped her up with his fancy wheels and took her to a “yummy lunch.”

They got to catch up on life with two daughters, which was “so fun!” Alec was invited to offer his side of the story, but when I was soliciting Friends Magazine submissions, he texted back with some excuse about being in Scotland and meeting dogs. So, Anjana is our reporter.

I hope all is well in Scotland with Alec and dogs. Anjana also got to see David Schummers ’95 later on and enjoyed catching up with him too. Locally in Baltimore, she sees Edith Dietz regularly.

Edith’s daughter, Clara, and Anjana’s younger daughter, Raina, are very close.

They play club soccer together, were just selected for the same travel soccer team, and all the girls get to spend time together this summer, both in casual hangouts as well as through attending some camps. It is great that such good friends have produced children who are also good friends! Speaking of Baltimore, Atman Smith and Ali Smith ’94 continue to be changemakers in the world. The Holistic Life Foundation is thriving, and Atman and Ali have been on a book tour for Let Your Light Shine. This book is a beautiful book that I strongly recommend anyone reading this column go pick up immediately. I actually listened to the audio, which I thoroughly enjoyed, as I

got to hear Atman and Ali’s voices again, which warmed my heart and also brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for everything you guys do for our world.

Madeline Franklin Gross reported that her first year teaching PK-4th grade music was exhausting. After 20+ years of teaching middle school, she felt like a first-year teacher again! Speaking of middle school, she found out that Kathy Cushman used to teach at her current school after she left Friends. Madeline enjoyed a visit with “Ms. Cushman” over lunch. Next, Dan Muñoz sneaks in again: It turns out that Madeline teaches the son of Dan’s college roommate. Such a small world! Wasn’t there also something about LL Cool J’s grandson in your class, Madeline? Maddie wrapped up her update noting that she coached her daughter Violet’s lacrosse team this year.

She bemoaned that it makes her feel old seeing how much the sport has changed since she played. Yeah, middle-age, baby.

We are getting old! Andrew Dale reports from West Newton, Mass. He states, “We’re doing well and enjoying some warmer summer vibes. The family went on a fabulous trip to London/Paris over Spring Break which included a trip to the studio where they filmed the Harry Potter movies. The whole time I had Dan Muñoz’s famous Prof. Snape Impression in my head ‘Poooottah!’” (That’s random Muñoz appearance #3.) Andy also has a summer trip to Martha’s Vineyard planned with extended family and friends,

Alec Hawley ’96 and Anjana Prasad Jindal ’96 on bike.

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and is looking forward to that as well. In the Fall (here he comes again…) Andy is planning a trip with Dan Muñoz and David Schummers again – “if we can pull it off!”

Josh Lerner chimed in to share that he was featured on The PlayFull Podcast, discussing ways to bring fun to the serious work of changing the world. The episode is a nice tour through most of what Josh has been up to in the past decade. First, his non-profit organization, People Powered, and its work building participatory democracy around the world; his book Making Democracy Fun, and co-leadership and management of diverse global teams. On the home front, Josh does not sit idle! He has been exploring new games with his 13-year old Miro, and sampling vegan ice cream flavors (in this case by Baltimore-based Taharka Brothers). https://bit.ly/PlayJosh. Dan Kahn shared that things are going well in his world. His family has an Alaskan cruise planned for the summer of 2024. He is getting closer to visiting all 50 states, with just 10 more to go. He has already checked off Hawaii, but with so many islands, Dan, don’t you think you should go more than once? On the home front, the turtle his family had passed away, and the fish tank has become a breeding ground for snails!! SO MANY snails! Keeps the tank very clean. Anyone need a snail?

I asked Dan if his cruise would be stopping in Victoria, B.C. where I (Jeannie Achuff) continue to reside. I have not heard back yet, but many of these cruise ships have layovers in our harbor, which is the reason I ran into Heather Mead ’95 several years back. Victoria continues to be an epically gorgeous place to live for me, my now 13-yr old son, Curzon, and our double-doodle, Frodo. I sometimes forget how keyed-down life on Vancouver Island is, until I return to the continent and feel the hugeness of the North American landmass, as I did today. I write this from a hilltop in West Vancouver, where I am spending the weekend in a family’s home while they spend the weekend in my home. I discovered Home Exchange last year just before Curzon and I took a three-week trip to Europe and I am totally sold on this method of travel! If anyone wants to hit me up for a referral coupon, drop a line. I can’t recommend this system highly enough. We stayed in homes in Berlin, Paris, Bordeaux, and San Sebastian, Spain last summer (hotels in Barcelona

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From left: Julian Kennedy ’01 and Carolyn Richardson’s ’02 daughter Josie and their dog Winnie; Sara Zager Chapper ’01 and Mike Chapper ’00 with their sons Elior and Shai and Mike’s parents and other parts of Germany) and had an absolute blast! It was such a special trip for us both. There was a rumor that Dan Muñoz was lurking somewhere near the Grand Canyon in early June, but that has not been confirmed. Perhaps another classmate can report a crossing of paths?

Thanks for the updates everyone! It is always great to hear from people, so don’t be shy!

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Carrie Runde Paddock carrie.runde@gmail.com

Molly Kastendieck writes to let us know that she’s working a new job as Director of Regional Engagement and Programs at University of San Francisco. She’s working remotely and still living in Paso Robles where she also has a new business called “Destination Paso.” Molly co-founded this concierge travel service that plans trips to Paso Robles and invites alumni to check it out and come for a visit! I ran into Julian Kennedy and his wife Carolyn Richardson ’02 in May at Druid Hill Park where we were all running the Girls on the Run 5K race with our kids. Carolyn and Julian have a 9 year old daughter, Josie.

Funnily, their family adopted a 4 year old dog who also came with the name Josie. After a tough decision, the dog is now Winnie. In 2021, Julian opened a mountain bike shop in Catonsville called Dirt Rooster Bicycles that is doing well.

Sara Zager Chapper and Mike Chapper ’00 celebrated their 15 year wedding anniversary in June. Their oldest son, Elior, finished Kindergarten at Sandy Spring Friends School. Their youngest son, Shai, will start PK3 at Sandy Spring Friends in the fall. Emily Kleeman got married in July in Estes Park, Colorado. She and her husband Joe traveled throughout Europe and learned more about her family’s

history during the Holocaust and WW2.

Emily also became an aunt in 2023, which brings her much joy. Her organization in Colorado, The Reentry Institute, continues to thrive and find more ways to help end mass incarceration. Emily expresses gratitude for her Friends education and all the opportunities it has provided her so far in life. As for me, Carrie Runde Paddock, I am still living in Baltimore with my husband, Kristaps, and our two children. My oldest, Ella, finished third grade this year at Friends and my youngest, Graham, will be starting first grade in the fall. We feel like we’ve hit the sweet spot with the kids’ ages and are taking advantage of more travel. My husband is also a Latvian citizen and we took a family trip to Riga in August.

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Camille Foster camille.powe@gmail.com Christopher Wright cswright@gmail.com

Jason Berman produced the movie HIGHEST 2 LOWEST for A24 and Apple, directed by Spike Lee, and starring Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright and A$AP Rocky in New York City in the Winter and Spring of 2024. The movie is a reimagining of the original 1963 Akira Kurosawa film HIGH AND LOW. The movie will be released in theaters first by A24, followed by a streaming release on Apple TV+ in 2025. Caitlin Bouxsein continues to work as a theater artist in Baltimore and occasionally in Washington, D.C. She and her husband welcomed a daughter earlier this year. Samantha and Chris Wright celebrated Sam’s 40th birthday by traveling across Kenya including safaris in Masai Mara and Lewa Conservancy, camping and fly fishing on Mount Kenya, snorkeling and relaxing oceanside in Vipingo, and touring Nairobi with Chris’ family.

classnotes ⊲

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Emily Lamasa selamasa@gmail.com

Emily Lamasa writes: “I am still living in Annapolis with my husband and two boys. Our older son, Magnus, started preschool with TJ Garman’s older daughter, Poppy, in September 2023.

I’ve befriended TJ’s wife (Leesy Garman) and now he will never escape! It’s also given me an opportunity to hang out with Mr. Garman, who tries to insist on being called Jon, and Chele (TJ’s mom and Mr. Garman’s wife).”04 Abby Seiler aseiler8@gmail.com

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Christina Forsting Taler christina.forsting@gmail.com

Dan Benamor continues to produce podcasts, most recently Dan wrote, directed, and produced “Someone Is Killing The Wolfhounds,” a scripted audio drama that hit #1 of all fiction podcasts on Apple Podcasts. Charlotte Baldwin van de Crommert is the Pedagogical Director at the Young School in Columbia, Md. Charlotte and her husband Matthew welcomed their fourth son, John, on October 30th, 2023! John enjoys spending time with his big brothers: Thomas, 2, William, 5, and Michael, 8. Charlotte is also the proud aunt of Hannah Ruley, class of 2026!

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Lauren Marks lmarks617@gmail.com

Hello Class of 2007! You all were a bit quiet on reporting your updates for class notes this year, but thank you to Laura Green Kendal who sent one in!

Laura recently started her own therapy practice called Healing Gifts LLC. She was recently trained in EMDR and offers trauma based therapy in the Towson area. Laura continues to enjoy her yearly trips with her YaYas which occurred in Jamaica this year! I (Lauren Marks) also enjoyed the trip to Jamaica that Laura referenced above! I am continuing to love working as a therapist in private practice. Charlie Totten ‘04 and I built a vacation rental home on the eastern shore which has kept us busy! We love to travel when we can, and enjoy our Friends School connections.

Clockwise, from top left: Jason Berman ’02 and Denzel Washington; Samantha and Chris Wright ’02 celebrated Sam’s 40th birthday by traveling across Kenya; Jason Berman ’02 and Spike Lee and crew; Charlotte Baldwin van de Crommert ’05 and her niece Hannah Ruley '26; Charlotte Baldwin van de Crommert’s ’05 youngest, John and his big brother; Charlotte Baldwin van de Crommert’s ’05 children Thomas, 2, William, 5, and Michael, 8

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Clockwise, from top left: Annie Kruger Payne, Jasmine Powe Ruschmann and Alana Naslund at the '08 Reunion After Party; Class of 2008’s Jasmine Powe Ruschmann, Annie Kruger Payne, Jill Tessman-Heath, Alana Naslund, Eliza Steele, Jocelyn Worley Sarkaria, Sarah Gartner Oken, Liz Thompson and Ella Dayton in August 2023 at Jocelyn's baby shower in Baltimore; Brad Kolodner ’08, Henry Feinberg, Daniel Feinberg ’08, and Jimmy Bigwood ’08; Hannah Allen Poland ’08 and son Jonah Luke Poland

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Daniel Feinberg and his wife, Melanie, welcomed baby Henry in 2023. They recently visited Baltimore and caught up with FSB pals Brad Kolodner and Jimmy Bigwood. Daniel is working in corporate sustainability in New York.

Jenna Blewis Burton is still residing in Greenwich, Connecticut and juggling full time motherhood with a part time private practice in clinical psychology.

She and her husband Marcus will be welcoming their third daughter this fall.

They look forward to visiting family in England over the summer before the new baby arrives. Hannah Allen Poland and her husband Josh welcomed their son Jonah Luke Poland into the world on October 12th! They are overjoyed to start their family here in Baltimore. I (Jasmine Powe Ruschmann) thoroughly enjoyed spending quality time with friends in 2023 at our 15th reunion in May and Jocelyn Worley Sarkaria’s baby shower in August. I am so grateful our class continues to keep in touch and celebrates milestones together.

It was another banner year for the class of 2012 as we arrived at the “Golden Anniversary” of our graduation: 12 years since the Class of ’12 graduated from Friends School of Baltimore! Some updates from the class include: A big business move for Dave Magdeburger.

He takes his popular business “Dave’s Smoke & Tacos” to a new market in Charleston, S.C. Taking advantage of the “southern snowball,” he’s bringing his specialty tacos, crispy tortilla chips, loaded nachos, smoked meats and homemade sauces and salsas to the Charleston Metro Area where he supplies breweries, neighborhoods, local festivals and custom catering events with that special Magdeburger touch. But, don’t worry Friends! Dave will bring his delicious delights back to Baltimore for one weekend only at the Reggae Rise Up Maryland festival – so get ‘em while they’re hot! Also moving for business is Grant Everett. After a self-promotion effort at his local coffee shop in Chicago, he landed a job as a Senior Director of

Jasmine Powe Ruschmann jasmine.ruschmann@gmail.com

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Declan Meagher kerb501@yahoo.com

Engineering for a startup called DripOS. Now, he’s moving to NYC to become a senior leader in this all-in-one tech solution for Coffee Shops. If you are also interested in this operation that offers point of sale, scheduling, inventory, and more for coffee shops across the nation, Grant says he’s beginning a search for software engineers in his new city.

Speaking of moving, if you’re hoping for a change of pace and/or place, you should talk to Sydnee Lasky! She’s now an accomplished real estate agent and has helped many Friends alumni find their dream homes. Sydnee enjoys working within the Friends community – keeping that cooperative spirit roaring – often working with fellow alumnus, Sydney Klawans ’16 to help others find exciting places in the neighborhoods around our alma mater. She even had the opportunity to help Boni Salmeron ’14 and Gabe Watson ’14 buy a home together. And in news of those moving in together, Lauren Riley is excited to announce that she will be getting married to Alex Watson on June 22, 2024. They currently live in Brooklyn and work in

Manhattan in financial services but are having a good-old-fashioned Baltimore wedding. As of writing this she is still Lauren Riley but upon reading this she will have already become Lauren Watson. And another marriage is to come this August as Declan Meagher and Sara Murray are to be wed. After a long engagement and his immigration to Canada, Declan is excited to finally be celebrating wedded bliss with his wife-to-be, their families, and a whole host of friends from land and sea. In the Canadian Rockies, it’s sure to be Canadian Rockin’. These are just a morsel of the many accomplishments that flow forth from the Class of 2012. Spread out across the country and the globe, we know that it’s going to be a Golden year for all of them.

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Chrissie Baker Roethle chrissie.e.baker@gmail.com

Paul Berman and Lucy Heller got married on October 22nd, 2023 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Ben Chase and Lindsay Heidelbach Chase also tied the knot on May 18th, 2024. Matt Potter and his wife Sam moved to Florida so she could pursue her dream job at Walt Disney World! Matt now works at a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate in their development department. Their Bernese Mountain dogs, Ryuu and Willow, are thriving in the A/C.

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Amelia Merrill amelia7merrill@gmail.com

Isabel Blalock got engaged to Matt Harrison in May. Harrison is also a Baltimore native. Amy Lieber got engaged to Reuben Siegman last December. The couple lives in Washington, D.C. Boni Salmerón and Gabriel Watson recently purchased a home in Baltimore. They live in Charles Village with their dogs, and both work in the environmental data and research sector. Alexis Heath Bethea welcomed her first child, son Ezra, with husband Shawn in January.

Madison Moore ’17 in a training session with one of the resident male bottlenose dolphins, Liko.

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This class is in need of a class secretary. To volunteer, email alumni@friendsbalt.org

Madison Moore writes: “I work and live in the United States Virgin Islands as a dolphin trainer! I started as an intern in 2021, and earned promotions during my time here, now being placed full-time in the dolphin department, introducing worldwide guests to Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins to inspire conservation for our worldwide oceans.”

Clockwise, from top left: From left to right: Peter Heller '04, Ben Chase '13, Sarah Lambros 13', Jamie Batho '13, Molly Rosner '13, Caroline MacLure Byrne '13, Paul Berman '13, Peter Vaselkiv '13, Lucy Heller '13, Cedric Charlier '13, Helene Kerins Clutterbuck '13, Holly HellerSchwartz '07, Sam Enokian '13; Class of 2013's Helene Kerins Clutterbuck, Jamie Batho, Caroline MacLure Byrne, Paul Berman (Groom), Lucy Heller (Bride), Molly Rosner, Peter Vaselkiv, Sam Enokian, Cedric Charlier; Paul Berman ‘13 and Lucy Heller ‘13 at their wedding in October 2023; Class of 2013 at the wedding of Ben Chase ‘13 and Lindsay Heidelbach Chase on May 18th 2024; From left to right: Spencer Brock, Connor Finn, James Spevak, Will Davis, Tucker Glotzbach, Jake Bass, David Bruder, Dan Warren, Rebecca Handa, Lucy Heller, Paul Berman, Sarah Lambros, Taylor Roethle, Chrissie Baker Roethle, Jamie Batho, Peter Vaselkiv FRIENDSBALT.ORG | FRIENDS SCHOOL

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Henry Griffith hgriffith00@gmail.com

It’s a big year for the Class of 2020, as many of us move out of our college days and into our next steps of working life or further educational pursuits. To all of you recent graduates, congratulations.

And to all, I hope you’re well in this time of transition for our class. On the note of graduation, Alex Madsen recently graduated from Colorado College with a B.A. in Design Studies and a minor in southwest studies.

For his senior thesis, he designed and built a rammed earth table lamp, winning the “Most Outstanding Thesis in Design” award. Alex will head up to Big Sky, Montana soon to work for the summer. Jack Corkum finished up college in May, graduating with a B.A. in International Business & Management from Dickinson College. He also earned minors in Spanish and Economics with Cum Laude honors. At Dickinson, Jack competed for the Squash and Track & Field teams. He now works full-time as a sales professional at Tom James, an international luxury clothing company. He has also begun his journey into social media marketing and e-commerce with a good friend of his from Dickinson. He can’t believe our first Reunion is coming up so soon.

Ashauna Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Global Health from Duke University in May. This summer, she plans to reconnect with her longtime friends from Friends and enjoy spending time with her family. In August,

she will start a Master of Science in Public Health program at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is excited to move back to Baltimore and looking forward to exploring the city. Scott Hudson graduated in June from Carleton College and is spending the summer visiting friends across the U.S., beginning with a road trip down the California coast. Next year, he plans to travel and work on his language skills while preparing to apply to Ph.D. programs in history. As for me, Henry Griffith, I graduated in May from Davidson College with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. At Davidson, I ran for four years as a distance and mid-distance runner, hopefully fulfilling some of Coach Fowler’s ambitions. In July, I’ll begin my transition to New York City, where I’ll be working for Wells Fargo within their Corporate and Investment Banking segment. If any of you will be in New York, please reach out. I’d love to connect! I look forward to seeing many of you at our rapidly approaching fiveyear Reunion next year! Until then, best of luck with whatever adventures this time might bring!

BECOME A CLASS SECRETARY TODAY We are currently looking for secretaries for the following classes: 1953, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1986, 1999, 2003, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023. If you are interested in becoming a Class Secretary, please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@friendsbalt.org.

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MILESTONES

AS OF NOVEMBER

2024

MARRIAGES

IN MEMORIAM

1972 Doug Balder and Joan Balde

1944 Helen Etter Womack December 2023

1962 Diana Fleischer Schofield December 2023

1947 John M. Jones, Jr. August 2024

1964 Peter Paul Hanley September 2023

1948 Frederick Hecht June 2024

1969 Thomas M. Adolph, Sr. January 2024

1950 David H. Whiteford November 2023

1977 L. Douglas Norvell January 2023

1956 Claire Biddison Barnett April 2024

2018 Wolf F. Russell June 2024

1958 Susan Stott Dugan January 2024

RETIRED FACULTY

2001 Emily Kleeman and Joe Martinez July 2024 2012 Declan Meagher and Sara Murray Meagher August 2024 Lauren Riley and Alex Watson June 2024 2013 Paul Berman and Lucy Heller October 2023 Ben Chase and Lindsay Heidelbach Chase May 2024

BIRTHS 1996 Erica Quigley and Eric Demicco, Jonah and Rachel Quigley May 2023 2008 Daniel Feinberg and Melanie Feinberg, Henry Feinberg 2023 Hannah Allen Poland and Josh Poland, Jonah Luke Poland October 2023

Frederick H. Stalfort June 2024 Bettie E. Mullikin July 2024

Erma Papadimitriou March 2024 Steve Balser September 2024

1959 Rosalie Weakley D'Arcy November 2023 1960 Geraldine Hisle January 2024 Fran Ross Whisnant October 2023 J. Frederick Motz October 2023 Robert E. Harrington February 2024 Susan DeHoff Montgomery February 2024 Faith Henderson Riggs June 2024

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PARENTS & CAREGIVERS

Student Parade during Pep Rally in celebration of Scarlet & Gray Day 2024

2023-2024

A Message from the Friends School Parents Association As the 2023-2024 school year kicked off in August, so too did the Friends School Parents Association (FSPA). We jumped at the opportunity to cultivate connections with community members, new and seasoned – even before the school calendar started – at the School’s annual Back to School Picnic. Once school was in full swing, we dove into the work, planning and hosting in-person events to build relationships and foster intentional inclusivity. As a lesson learned from the COVID-19 years, there remains a commitment to providing a virtual option for participation in PA related activities and meetings where possible, and we continued offering programs such as the Community Giving Tree, Friendly Fridays, Parent Socials, Brain Boosters, Family-to-Family, the Family Support Network and Walking Wednesdays.

In addition to organizing four annual signature events – the Family Carnival on Scarlet & Gray Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Night Out with Friends, and the Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon – the FSPA introduced three new opportunities for family engagement: pickleball in Fall, basketball in Winter and softball in Spring. To learn more about the many other programs and activities sponsored by the FSPA, please visit our Resource board in myFriends (password required).

FUNDRAISING • Night Out with Friends - $25,000 • Brain Boosters - $4,360 • Square 1 Art - $1,100 The FSPA relies upon annual membership dues in order to fulfill our mission. Any fundraising efforts initiated by the FSPA are intended to benefit the entire School community. Below are some examples of how these funds made an impact: • Enriching Student Life: $4,300 raised in support of Upper School Prom 2024 $1,100 raised to produce, publish and provide a yearbook to all Lower Schoolers • Building Community: $4,250 budgeted for supporting the Faculty & Staff Appreciation Lunch ~$15,000 budgeted for signature and all-community events ~$8,000 budgeted for volunteer-led activities for parents by division • FSB Wish List (program-enhancing items for teachers and coaches) $25,000 raised by Night Out with Friends, an annual Spring gathering with silent auction

The culmination of this successful year was entirely the result of the countless hours worked by volunteers and the generous donations made by the FSB community of parents and caregivers. Our collective commitment paid off. At the end of the school year, we were able to give $25,000 to the School in support of the FSB Wish List. Well done!

Shareka Weaver P’31, FSPA Chair 2023-2024 Yvette Corley P’34, FSPA Chair-Elect 2023-2024

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Shareka Weaver, chair, and Yvette Corley, chair elect.

parents association ⊲

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE 2024 Left: Cookie Baking at Believe in Tomorrow Children’s House; Right: Students and FSB community members participated in a walk/run for Family Connections

NIGHT OUT WITH FRIENDS 2024 Top: Silent Auction Items; Bottom: Capturing the theme of “Celebrate Baltimore!”

SCARLET & GRAY DAY 2024 Top: Scarlet & Gray Day T-Shirt Distribution; Bottom: The Spirit Wear Table FRIENDSBALT.ORG | FRIENDS SCHOOL

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS A M E S S AG E F R O M L E S T E R DAV I S P ’ 2 8 , ’ 2 8 , ’ 3 0

The Board of Trustees Clerk

As I begin my third year as clerk of the Board of Trustees, I am in awe of the scope and scale of work that we have accomplished at Friends. In particular, it is a great joy to witness firsthand how careful planning for the future impacts the educational lives of my children and their peers today. Looking back at what the Board set out to do three years ago, it is clear that the collective efforts of our community have truly exceeded expectations. It continues to be a privilege to serve in this capacity, especially at a time when there is such strong momentum for the School’s advancement across our entire campus and beyond.

Lester Davis is the parent of three FSB students and Vice President & Chief of Staff to the CEO of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

The Board of Trustees is charged with actively and strategically planning for the long-term financial sustainability of the School, seeking and weighing opportunities to ensure that Friends School continues to thrive as a well-resourced, caring place that supports the academic, physical and emotional lives of students. Given the dual hats I wear (clerk and parent of three current students), it is especially gratifying to be part of a collaborative team, helping to prioritize initiatives that not only support the School’s long-term financial sustainability but also create the strongest learning environment for our students.

Last year, I shared that the Board made strategic decisions around the physical improvement of our campus to bolster our admissions pipeline, as identified in Campus Master Plan 2022. With the expansion of Little Friends Early Learning Center completed, we have quickly increased the capacity of the program from 65 to 90 children; a 38% increase in enrollment.

Immediately after the last day of school in June 2024, work began on the Lower School improvement project, one that required the combined efforts of dozens and dozens of dedicated people. Working at the speed of light, teams of contractors fully renovated the East and West Buildings interiors in record time – just three months during Summer 2024! Our Lower School faculty and staff worked nights and weekends to ensure that classrooms, labs and common spaces like the Library and the MakerSpace were fully prepared and welcoming on the first day of school, September 5, 2024. All of this would not be possible without the incredible contributions of a small but mighty group of donors who answered our call to invest in the future of Friends. Without their nearly $5 million of charitable support, financing of the project would have been significantly more burdensome. We anticipate that the efforts of these groups will have a fortifying, expansive impact on Lower School admissions in the near future.

Plans are well underway to implement the next phase of the Campus Master Plan: improving the Lower School playground and outdoor learning spaces. Running north and south from Stony Run Meeting to the main campus drive, and bounded by campus buildings on the west side and Charles Street on the east, our plans include new climbing equipment, an amphitheater, leveled playing fields, new hardtop and a re-imagined Community Garden. Because of our topography, we will invest in more rainwater mitigation systems, which will protect our buildings from flooding and protect vital Chesapeake Bay watersheds from pollutants; and our dedication to accessibility will inform a design that welcomes people of all physical abilities. The Board is delighted to embark on this work, and we are confident that it will bring excitement to our dynamic campus community and beyond.

Looking ahead, the Board is considering how to best amplify our resources and partnerships to not only sustain, but enhance the School by developing comprehensive plans to grow resources in support of our faculty and the student financial assistance program. In addition to renovating the Forbush Building & Auditorium in 2016, our last fundraising campaign, Setting the Stage, added $12 million to our endowment. We plan to repeat that significant achievement in our next comprehensive campaign by strengthening our philanthropic partnerships with alumni, current families and friends. Given the pressures parents face to afford the quality of education that Friends offers, we will seek additional endowed scholarship funds and to grow our #1 priority, The Fund for Friends, because it supports the immediate needs of the current school year. We know that excellent learning outcomes require excellent teachers, and so we will also look for ways that philanthropy can directly support our faculty with the tools, resources and benefits they need to do their best work on behalf of our students.

With additional campus improvements and a comprehensive fundraising campaign on the horizon, this is an exciting time to be part of the Friends School community. Through our shared work, we hope to send a message to you -- our partners and friends -- that Friends School of Baltimore invests in itself and is worthy of your investment.

In partnership,

Lester Davis P’28, ’28, ’30 Clerk, Board of Trustees

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development news ⊲ The Fund for Friends B R I N G I N G T H E S C H O O L D AY T O L I F E The Fund for Friends is the School’s annual giving program and it is the #1 fundraising priority. It is an immediate way to support our greatest assets: Friends School students and faculty. Great schools happen when three elements – exceptional people, world-class programs, and outstanding facilities – converge and thrive. These elements come together year after year at Friends thanks to the generosity of those who invest philanthropically in the School. When you make your gift to The Fund for Friends, every dollar directly impacts our community throughout the school

year, helping to “bring the school day to life” for the young learners in our care.

Led by new professional staff member Nolan Warthen as Director of Annual Giving and Development Operations and Nicoletta Prezioso as Assistant Director of Annual Giving, the fundraising team proceeded full-steam ahead, taking on the worthwhile objective to “bring the school day to life.” With the help of dedicated volunteers on The Fund for Friends Committee, the annual fund raised over $1.9 million in the 2023-2024 school year!

F U N D FACTS 193+

Reunion classes with the highest participation:

Leadership Gifts

Over 230 donors gave $1,000+

136

First time donors

193

1700 donors

Including 600 parents, grandparents and parents of alumni donors (approx.)

Leadership donors

232

donors increased their gifts this year

1964, 1969 & 1974 50th Reunion Class of 1974 raised:

over $100,000

241

donors have consecutively given for over 10 years

$1,900,000 raised for The Fund for Friends!

40% of the grand total of $4.75 million raised for the school

A W O R T H Y E N D E A V O R Thanking Our Leadership Donors Last October (2023), Friends School held its annual Donor Appreciation Reception in the newly refurbished James L. Zamoiski ’68 Center.

Hosted by Head of School Christian Donovan, guests included current parents, alumni, parents of alumni and friends who made leadership gifts of $1,000 or more to the School in the prior fiscal year. While Dr. Sujay Pathak ’95 (who is also a current parent), strummed his guitar and crooned a classy mix of fan favorite songs, old and new friends alike deepened their connection to Friends and to one another. Christian expressed his gratitude for their giving and shared with guests the results of last year’s philanthropy.

He also gave a preview of upcoming fundraising opportunities - from growing our financial assistance program and increasing funds for faculty development, to helping with much-needed renovations to our beautiful campus so that we continue to offer an excellent program for our students. If you would like more information about how your giving can make a difference, please reach out to Ashley Principe, Director of Development, at aprincipe@friendsbalt.org.

Ally Abernathy, Kristin Patzkowsky, Bobby Michel ’97, Christian Donovan, and Jake Abernathy FRIENDSBALT.ORG | FRIENDS SCHOOL

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BELIEF IN MISSION INSPIRES–

$5 Million to Transform Lower School Buildings “I saw how my own children benefited from a Friends education and I want to see others thrive in the way that they did. We are so pleased that we could help the School realize their vision.”

- Family of a FSB Graduate Joyful learning. Education grounded in Quaker values. Commitment to co-education and the 3 A’s (academics, arts, athletics).

These are just a few of the reasons cited by six (6) donors as the inspiration behind their generous gifts in support of the Lower School transformation. Together, they contributed nearly $5 million, including one donor’s gift of $2.5 million - the largest single gift received by Friends School to date!

This small and mighty group of donors have deep connections to the School, and answered Friends' call to help revitalize the Lower School East and West Buildings. They represent all kinds of community members: alumni, parents and grandparents of alumni, and current and former trustees. Through their generosity, they express their belief in the Friends School mission and vision, and want to ensure that the students of today and tomorrow learn in a space that matches the high quality of the education they are receiving and reflects the warmth of the community in which they are learning.

Each day we feel heartfelt gratitude for these dear friends who, through their financial contributions, have partnered with the School to make amazing things happen for our students.

Faculty Mobilize to Honor Retiring Teachers Binford and Countess Upon learning of the 2024 retirement of beloved Upper School teachers Lisa Countess (Latin) and Tom Binford (Spanish), the Friends School Faculty quickly jumped into action, convening a small group of volunteers to spearhead an initiative to adequately and meaningfully honor their colleagues’ four decades of service.

At the close of the school year and as part of the annual Employee Recognition celebration (hosted by the Board of Trustees), the faculty unveiled their surprise tribute to Tom and Lisa. A total of $2,000 was collectively contributed by ~30 faculty and staff members to the Class of 2006 Student Travel Fund in their honor.

Inspired by Lisa’s and Tom’s dedication to ensuring equitable access to the School’s capstone travel abroad programs, this effort is further evidence of their lasting impact on the entire Friends School community. In addition to being a noteworthy example of faculty-giving, these contributions help fund additional financial support to Upper School students who wish to travel on a school-sponsored language trip and have demonstrated financial need. Both Lisa and Tom provided years of leadership and commitment to the Upper School Language Department and student foreign travel program, guiding numerous excursions abroad over the past forty years and helping advance efforts to make these impactful opportunities accessible to all students. What a resoundingly thoughtful and personal confirmation of the many gifts Tom and Lisa bestowed upon faculty and students throughout their careers at Friends School! This gift will most certainly serve as a lasting reminder of their legacies, continuing to support students and inspire fellow teachers for years to come.

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F R O M T R A G E D Y T O L E G A C Y:

A Model for Giving

development news ⊲

When tragedy struck the Holton family in 1995, they found solace and support in the Friends School community. The late Hiram (Bruce) Holton and Yvonne Holton’s son, Hiram Holton II ’95 passed away during his senior year at Friends, after a 13 month battle against Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare muscle tissue tumor. Hiram was deeply loved by all who knew him. His classmates and their families were so affected by Hiram’s loss that they proposed to establish an endowed scholarship in his name, ensuring that his legacy would live on in perpetuity. Byron Forbush II ’47, who was head of school at the time, reached out to Bruce and Yvonne to ask for their permission, and unknowingly, set in motion a fundraising effort with a far reaching impact.

Philanthropy of this scale was new to Yvonne who dove in whole-heartedly. Over the years, she has worked closely with the Class of 1995, the Friends’ Black Student Union, relatives and family friends to raise money for the scholarship, focusing her efforts during reunion years. Today the scholarship is valued at more than $100,000, and provides tuition relief for an African American student in the Upper School.

Hiram’s scholarship has an impact beyond Friends, too. Yvonne says that she has shared with her church community what she has learned about fundraising from Friends. Each year her congregation raises funds in Hiram’s name to support young parishioners on their own educational journeys to college and beyond.

In addition to Yvonne’s annual giving, she recently made the ultimate gift. Working with the Planned Giving Office, she ensured the Scholarship’s continued growth by naming Friends School as a beneficiary of her retirement fund. While Yvonne describes her gift as modest, she noted that it is something she - and others - can easily do, and hopes that her own planned gift can serve as a model to others who may not have considered it before. Yvonne is confident that Hiram, whose endearing wish was to leave a legacy, would be honored to see that the people he cared for so deeply continue to come together to make students’ educational dreams come true at Friends and beyond.

For Hiram’s story, see Hiram Holton II ’95 Scholarship Effort www.friendsbalt.org/giving/special-memorial-efforts/hiram-holton-ii-95-scholarship-effort.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can make an impact with a planned gift, or would like to support Hiram’s scholarship, contact Ashley Principe at 410-649-3268 or aprincipe@friendsbalt.org.

Class of 2024 Senior Family Gift Effort THE SENIOR FAMILY GIFT COMMITTEE

2024 Senior Family Gift Committee

When the Class of 2024 parents and students first met to discuss how they could make a tangible difference through the Senior Family Gift, they felt strongly that their efforts should have a direct, enhancing impact on the student community. They accomplished both, raising $165,500 for two meaningful projects: 1) financial assistance support in honor of their Upper School peers, and 2) the refurbishment of the Upper School Library, which serves as the heart of the Upper School.

The School is grateful to the class for helping fellow families afford a Friends education - nearly 50% of students receive some form of financial assistance each year, and for transforming the Upper School Library into an even more welcoming space for the 100’s of students who visit it each day.

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 Senior Family Gift Committee, the Class of 2024, and their families for so generously continuing the Senior Family Gift tradition, which was established in 1989.

PARENTS: Co-Chairs: Diana K. Sugg & Albert Wu, Dave Holmes & Bonnie Aubuchon, Omar Stokes, Sr. & Anikka Stoke, Committee Members: Emil Gerardi & Tricia Gerardi, Joel Goldberg & Kimberly Goldberg, Katherine A. Hancock Porter & Philip K. Porter, Frank R. Lin & Helen H. Hu, Natalie White STUDENTS: Isaac Apencha ’24, Thi Cost ’24, Tyler Cox ’24, Eva D’Addario ’24, Britt Kayin ’24, Audrey Lin ’24, Ziteng Qin ’24, Noah Sheasby ’24, Jack Sherman ’24, Mikel Smith ’24, Sawyer Smith ’24

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THE FACULTY ROOM As Andy Spawn begins his 38th year at Friends School, his dedication to Middle School science education remains as steadfast as ever. Since joining the school in 1987, Andy has taught science to various grades; currently he is part of the sixth grade team. Beyond the classroom, Andy's enthusiasm extends to coaching Middle School wrestling and nurturing the Friends/Stony Run Community Garden, which supports the CARES Food Pantry. In recent years, Andy has led his sixth grade students through a project on infectious diseases, combining his teaching experience with his commitment to hands-on, real-world learning.

How do sixth-graders learn to research information about a complex topic and present their learning without simply repeating the information in their sources? They use the information to accomplish a unique task! The Infectious Disease Research Project (IDRP) started as a way for sixth grade science students to develop research skills, but also to express their learning in a creative way. Developed by former Middle School librarian Paula Montrie and myself, the IDRP is an opportunity for sixth grade “doctors” to pull together all of the topics they have learned during their year of life science.

The IDRP begins with each sixth grade student being assigned a case study, which details the story of a fictitious “patient” who has arrived at the Friends Teaching Hospital. The first step for student-doctors is to diagnose their patient by researching which of three diseases is the best match to the symptoms. When their diagnosis has been approved by the Chief Resident, the student-doctors then move on to collecting information about the progression of the disease and its etiology, and develop a treatment plan to return their patient to health. Each student in a single sixth grade class has a unique case study, but there are other doctors working with the same patient in other sixth grade classes, so they form a team working together to collect information.

The culmination of the project is Grand Rounds, where each student in the class presents their patient to their fellow doctors and explains the diagnosis, characteristic symptoms, treatment and prevention of the illness. The audience includes their classmates, teachers, and real medical professionals from the Friends community who volunteer to come in and provide an “authentic audience.” For some students it is the high point of the year to answer a question from a real doctor or nurse about their case!

Over the years, the doctors of the Friends Teaching Hospital have successfully diagnosed and treated patients suffering from inhalation anthrax, bubonic plague, dengue fever, diphtheria, Lyme disease, malaria, measles, tetanus, and many others. They have successfully brought patients back from advanced rabies infections and epidemic typhus, and even dealt with a bizarre modern-day reappearance of smallpox. They are an amazing team!

— ANDY SPAWN Middle School Science Teacher

If you work in a medical field and would like to volunteer to be a panel member for this year's Grand Rounds in April, please contact Andy Spawn at aspawn@friendsbalt.org.

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⊳ ON THE COVER A portion of one of the three new murals in the Lower School, designed and installed by Hanna Moran and Lindy Swan of Red Swan Walls.

STUDENT ART ⊲

By Lani Hess

looking back ⊲ Lower School classroom, 1936